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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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Hiotographic 
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23  WffiST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIMTH.N.Y.  USM 

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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  IVIicroraproductions  /  institut  canadier  da  microreproductions  historiquas 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibllographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Foaturus  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I     I   Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagte 


□   Covers  reetored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  reetaurAe  et/ou  peiliculAe 


|~~|   Cover  title  missing/ 


D 
D 


D 


D 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  gAographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


r~1   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  rrwterial/ 
Reli4  avec  d'autree  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrAe  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leeves  edded  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainee  pages  blenches  ajout^es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  4tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  *t4  filmAee. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentalree  supplAmentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microf  limA  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'ii  iui  a  AtA  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  f ilmage 
sont  indiquto  ci-dessous. 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


D 


This  item  Is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  film*  au  taux  de  rMuotlon  Indiqu*  ci-dessous. 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pagee  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaurAes  et/ou  pellicui4es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe< 
Pagee  dAcolories,  tachetAes  ou  piquAes 


I — I    Pages  damaged/ 

r~~|   Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

0   Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pagee 


T» 
to 


Tl 

P< 
of 
fil 


O 
bf 
th 

Si4 
Ot 

fir 
si( 
or 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  dAtachAes 

HShowthrough/ 
Transparence 


Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quaiiti  InA'^ale  de  ('impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  MHion  diaponible 


rn    Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I     I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I — I   Only  edition  available/ 


Pagee  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc..  have  been  refllmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  4t4  filmAes  it  nouveau  de  fa^on  i 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Tt 

sh 
Tl 


Ml 
dil 
en 
be 
rifl 
re* 
m« 


10X 

14X 

1SX 

22X 

Wt 

30X 

/ 

12X 

lex 

20X 

MX 

2tX 

32X 

Th«  copy  film«d  here  het  been  reproduced  thank* 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  fiimi  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  ia 
ginirotitA  de: 

BibliothAque  nationaie  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED "),  or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin.  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetA  de  l'exemplaire  filmA.  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  ImprimAe  sont  filmAs  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration.  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplairas 
originaux  sont  fiimte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comoorte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iilustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparattra  sur  la 
derniAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  -^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  rAduction  dif f Arents. 
Lorsque  ie  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA.  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  da  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  ie  nombre 
d'Images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthodo. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

6 

t 


^£, 


j«»ii«nillNr«^: 


TRUE   DESCRIPTION     , 

OF  THE 

LAKE  SUPERIOR  COUNTRY ; 

ITS  RIVERS,  COASTS,   BAYS,   HARBOURS,  ISLANDS,  AND 

COMMERCE. 

WITH 

BAYFIELD'S  CHART; 

[Showing  the  Boundary  Line  as  Established  by  Joint  Commission.] 
ALSO  A  MINUTE  ACCOUNT  OF  THE 

COPPER    MINES 

AND 

WORKING  COMPANIES, 

ACCOMPANIED   BY 

A  MAP  OF  THE  MINERAL  REGIONS ; 

SHOWING,   BY   THEIR   NO.    AND  PLACE,    ALL   THE    DIFFBRENT 

LOCATIONS  : 

AND  CONTAIMINO 

A  CONCISE  MODE  OF  ASSAYING,  TREATING,  SMGLTINQ, 
AND  REFINING  COPPER  ORES. 


«  Y 


JOHN  R.  ST.  JOHN. 


^•"vv^.  w^-^w* 


NEW    YORK  : 

WILLIAM  H.  GRAHAM,  TRIBUNE  BUILDINGS. 

1846. 


r^ 


*     ADVERTISEMENT. 


i 


To  arrive  at  a  reasonable  accuracy  in  describing  a  new  and  partially 
explored  country,  the  explorations  of  which  have  been  by  very 
many  different  individuals,  a  mode  of  giving  the  description  must  be 
adopted  corresponding  to  that  by  which  a  conflict  between  two  armies 
is  described.  No  one  person  having  been  able  to  see  all  the  different 
points  to  be  described,  the  statements  of  various  persons  must  be 
taken,  in  order  to  a  knowledge  of  the  whole. 

In  preparing  this  work,  therefore,  I  have  had  recourse  to  every 
available  source  of  information,  scrutinizing  and  comparing  the  dif- 
ferent statements.  And  to  the  end  of  my  principal  object,  that  of 
presenting,  in  a  condensed  form,  the  disseminated  facts  which  great 
national  interests  require  the  public  to  be  in  possession  of,  I  make  no 
apology,  but  would  give  full  credit  for  the  copious  drafts  and  conden- 
sations from  the  Reports  of  Officers  of  State  and  general  governments, 
as  well  as  the  personal  communications  of  many  intelligent  gentle- 
men, for  whose  contributions  I  am  under  many  obligations. 

Facts  and  information  which  I  have  been  enabled  to  obtain  only  by 
perseverance,  toil,  and  personal  observation,  are  joined  therewith,  to- 
gether with  deductions  sifted  from  concurring  accounts  by  old  voya- 
geura,  half-breeds  and  Indians,  deliverer'  in  their  barren  compound, 
from  the  Indian,  French  and  English  languages. 

It  is  with  feelings  of  regret  and  justice  to  the  ever-to-be-lamented 
dead,  I  say,  that  for  the  Geological  and  Mincralogical  information 
herein  presented  in  a  condensed  form,  I  am  indebted  to  Dr.  Hough- 
ton's Official  Reports,  and  perhaps,  in  a  strict  construction  of  those 
terms,  am,  in  other  parts,  more  a  compiler  than  the 

THE  AUTHOR. 


Entered,  accordinf  to  Act  of  Congreia,  in  tlio  year  1846, 
BT  JOHN  R.  ST.  JOHN, 

In  tb«  Clerk'*  OOce  of  the  District  Court  for  the  Southern  District  of  New-York. 


CONTENTS. 


Aeate  Hunting 
Albion  Mining  Co 
Agate  Harbour 
Albion  Rock 
Apostles'  Islands  45 
A  New  Crusher  110 
Assaying      Copper 

Ores  111 

A  Visit  to  the  Inte- 
rior of  a  Cornwall 
Mine  111 

Bohemian  Company  87 
Boston  Company  87 
Boat  Songs  16 

Bay  Bris  27 

Burnt  Pine  River  24 
Bad  River  43 

Black  River  42 

Bois  Brule  River  40 
Breaking  &  screen- 
ing Ore  Rock  113 
Copper  Falls  Co.  80 
Chippewa  Company  90 
Chocciute  River  22 
Commissoners  31 

Copper  Harbour  28 
Copper  Falls  30 

Conglomerate  Rock  59 
Climate  110 

Directions  to  Coast- 
ers 
Dead  River 
Eagle  Harbour  Co. 
Eagle  River 


7jGraverod's  River 
89  Great  Iron  River 
32|Great  La  Point 
38  General     View    of 


Eagle  Harbour 
Elm  River 
English  Copper  pro- 
duls  Si.  commerce 
Eng.  Cop,  Stocks 
East  Gr.  Marias 
Foil  du  Lac 
Flint  Steel  River 
Granite  Point 
Graiiite  Island 
Garlic  River 
Grand  Marias 
Graliot  River 
Grand  Island 


12 
22 
80 
37 
35 
40 


91 
HI 
20 
47 
40 


51 

94 

101 
25 
25 
25 

70 
48 

78 


85 
48 
20 


the  Country 

Glossary  of  Miners* 
Terms 

Grantees  and  Num- 
bers 

Huron  River 

Huron  Islands 

Huron  Mountains 

Irregular  false  viens 

Indian  Title 

Lake  Superior  Min- 
ing Co. 

Laughing     Fish 
River 

Isle  Royal  Co. 

Isle  Royal 

Keweenaw  Point 

Little  Montreal 
River 

Little  Salmon  Trout 
River 

Little  Iron  River 

Light-Houses 

Labourers 

L'Anse 

Miner's  River 

Manganese  Lake 

Misery  River 

Montreal  River 

Metamorphic  Rocks  58 

Manitou  Island 

Mixed  Conglomer- 
ate, &c. 

Mineral    or  True 
Veins 

Maps 

Native  Metals  and 
Ores 


39  Prefatory  Chapter 

41  Pawnees 

45  Pictured  Rocks 
Presque  Isle 
Point  Aba^a 
Portage  River 
Portage  Lake 
Portage 
Porter's  Island 
Prescjue  Isle  River 
Primary  Rock 
Pittsburgh  Co. 
Pleasure  Tour 
Principal   Courses 

and  Distances 
Red  Sandstone  and 
Shale 

21  Sault  St.  Mary's 
River 


20,North  Shore 
2l|New  York  &  Lake 
211     Superior  M.  Co. 
33|  North -western  Co. 
aOjNorth  American  Co. 
21  Ontonagon 


3 
11 
20 
24 
25 
25 
25 
26 
31 
42 
53 
80 
107 

110 

64 

17 

16 

St.  John  River  21 

Salmon  Trout  River  24 

jStanard  Rock  27 

27  Shoon-e-aw  Lake      32 

Storm  35 

39  Superior  Co.  89 

42  Steam  and  Sail  Ves- 

110     scls  108 

HI  St.  Louis  River         47 

26  To  the  Invalid  0 
21  Tallcott  Harbour  24 
31  Talking  Fish  River  43 
39  Trap  Rocks  55 
42  The  Sand  Rock         67 

Treatment  of  Cop.   113 

27  Two  Heart  River      20 
Upper  Grey  Sand 

62     Rock  08 

United  States'  Im- 
09     port  of  Copper      91 
9  Upper    Lake    St. 
Croix  49 

99  Vocabulary  of  In- 
49     dian  and  French  105 

Variation     of    the 
82     Magnetic  Need) 0  11 
88  Vovago  commences   H 
85>i\Vhite  Fish  Point      19 
40'Wtjt  Coast  4i 


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t.-.- 


PART    FIRST. 


CHAPTER    I.        ^ 

Having  visited  the  mining  region  the  past  senson  ;  having 
neglected  no  means  in  my  power  to  ascertain  the  truth  or 
falsity  of  the  statements,  and  of  my  suspicions  as  to  that,  by 
many  imagined,  "  El  dorado"  of  the  North  ;  having  taken 
great  pains  and  labour  to  arrive  at  local  facts,  under  the 
recollection  of  the  '*  many  grains  of  allowance"  with  which 
I  had  received  the  best  authenticated  statements  myself; 
having  no  interest  of  name  or  nature  in  the  effect  my  state- 
ments may  produce,  except  that  in  common  with  all  other 
citizens,  in  an  early  and  prompt  development  of  those  inter- 
nal resources  of  our  country  which  will  leave  us  independent 
of  foreign  supplies ;  I  comply  with  the  wishes  of  many 
acquaintances,  who  desire  the  information  I  have  obtained, 
too  lengthy  in  detail  for  the  frequent  repetition  necessary  to 
gratify  personal  friends  only,  by  this  pubhcation  of  facts  as  I 
found  them,  without  **  fear  or  favour,"  ♦*  nothing  extenuat- 
ing, or  aught  set  down  in  malice." 

I  am  impelled  to  this  publication,  too,  not  more  that  the 

truth  and  real  merits  of  the  country  may  be  known,  than  to 

show,  by  such  deductions  as  the  careful  reader  will  make, 

that  **  all  is  not  gold  that  glitters."     The  realities  are  suflS- 

cicnt  ('*  and  to  this  end  must  we  come  at  last,")  to  insure  all 

that  should  be  desirable  to  accomphsh,  except  the  ulterior 

objects  of  those  whose  *'  baseless  fabrics  of  the  brain"  must 

fall,  and  visionary  schemes,  in  the  end,  "  come  home  to 

roost." 

1# 


-«— -  "^  !»! 

BAYFIELD'S 

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SUvvi    IV 

LAKK  SIPKIUOK 


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lliiTunaa  ^r  r«rful  Kanwlril^c 


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^ ^        I.  A  K  r    *1  UMIUiAH 


(    4     ) 

Upon  the  capitalist  is  the  dependence  for  the  necessary 
means  of  developing  our  mineral  resources,  and  upon  correct 
information  only  can  he  be  expected  to  furnish  it.  Over- 
wrought and  gilded  statements,  through  whose  glossing  the 
careful  and  discreet  man  sees  their  hollowness,  may  deceive 
many,  and  accomplish  the  ends  of  some,  but  will  also  retard 
or  prevent  great  results,  which  candour  and  truth  might  have 
produced,  but  for  the  doubts  which  discovered  duplicity  throw 
in  the  way  of  investigation. 

Congregated  capital  has  been  necessary  in  all  countries 
and  times  for  'be  development  of  mineral  resources.  Nfrture, 
in  her  organization  of  matter,  decreed  it  "  when  the  waters 
covered  the  face  of  the  earth  ;'*  and,  as  much  as  she  has 
favoured  this  region  over  all  others  with  her  mineral  wealth, 
there  is  also,  as  elsewhere,  written  upon  it,  "  Thou  shalt  eat 
thy  bread  by  the  sweat  of  thy  brow."  Abundant  and  pure 
as  are  our  lead  and  iron,  our  copper  is  not  less  so  ;  and  if 
there  is  one  fact  which  characterizes  the  bounty  of  nature  to 
ours  over  the  mineral  of  all  other  countries,  it  is  that  fact  and 
peculiarity  of  our  Lake  Superior  native  copper,  that  it  is  in 
no  instance  contaminated  with  alloys  of  other  metals.  The 
assertion  of  which  fact,  when  made  by  Dr.  Houghton,  was 
treated  as  a  burlesque  by  scientific  men  at  home  and  abroad, 
who  called  it  **  backwoods  mineralogy." 

His  representations  as  to  the  great  abundance  of  copper 
indicated  by  "  surface  appearances,"  were  treated  as  "  new 
country  stories,"  and  Dr.  Houghton,  smarting  under  this 
ridicule,  pursued  his  researches  for  ten  successive  years  be- 
fore his  reports  elicited  any  public  attention.  He  has  gone 
down  to  his  grave  in  those  depths,  though  immeasurable, 
and  upon  a  rock,  though  unseen,  which  he  knew  and  could 
determine  in  his  system  of  philosophy,  as  well  as  if  "  the 
waters  rolled  back"  when  he  came  to  their  margin.  He  has 
gone,  too,  in  the  day  when  that  future  he  had  so  long  and 
confidently  anticipated — was  come,  which,  by  its  develop- 
ments, was  about  to  consummate  the  silent  but  prevailing 
ambition  of  fifteen  years  of  toi'^  ^«nving  one  point  only  fully 
established — that  the  accepted  systems  of  geology  and  miner- 
aloffy  are  in  many  particulars  inapplicable  to  the  scene  of 
his  labours— of  which  the  above  is  one  proof. 

True  it  is,  and  lamentable  too,  that  wild  and  exaggerated, 


(    6    ) 

not  to  say  entirely  false  statements  have  been  made  of  min- 
eral wealth  there,  to  be  heaped  together  without  labour  or 
means,  which  could  not  fail  suddenly  to  enrich  the  fortunate 
holder  of  a  few  shares  of  some  particular  stock. 

Between  the  extremes  the  capitalist  must  designate,  or 
nothing  can  be  done  in  bringing  out  the  wealth  of  such 
mines  as  do  exist  and  have  a  value.  Many  have  already 
embarked,  but  nothing  like  a  number  adequate  to  the  field 
presented.  Extreme  caution  is  not  a  fault,  but  often  loses 
what  investigation  and  promptness  would  have  garnered. 

The  first  workers  of  our  iron  almost  invariably  failed  for 
the  want  of  means,  and  fi'om  an  influence  felt  by  them  from 
afar,  but  never  seen — neither  of  which  exist  in  reality  now. 
A  few  years  will,  as  in  lead  and  iron  they  have,  show  our 
capacity  to  supply  the  world  with  copper,  not  less  imagined 
at  present,  than  it  was  that  we  would  now  do  it  with  lead, 
when  the  law  of  1803  was  passed,  with  a  view  to  ascertain 
if  we  could  not  produce  a  portion,  however  small,  of  our  own 
consumption.  Look  now  at  the  mighty  result.  We  send  it 
to  China,  and  above  it  is  piled  our  cotton  cloths  and  wooden 
clocks,  and  who  can  say  that  copper  will  not  follow  ? 

Lead  is  worked,  and  many  fortunes  have  been  made  in 
its  production.  Copper  must  be  worked  in  the  same  man- 
ner.  The  minmg  is  the  same — the  smelting  differs — but 
copper  ore  is  worth  vastly  more  than  lead,  while  the  cost  of 
mining  is  about  the  same.  This  reduces  the  whole  subject 
to  one  or  two  questions,  viz. :  Is  there  copper  ore  as  stated  ? 
and,  where  are  its  locations?  These  questions  the  reader 
will  find  answered  in  the  following  pages ;  and  if  he  will 
read  them  carefully,  and  quaUfy  himself,  as  he  may,  by  their 
contents,  he  will  be  able  to  determine  correctly  between  pro- 
positions now  or  hereafter  made  for  investment,  which  are 
real,  or  which  are  **  kiting."  If  he  is  too  much  engaged  to 
do  this,  but  goes  in,  hap-hazard,  he  may  hand  down  at  his 
death  some  "  shares"  which  had  long  before  formed  fellow- 
ship with  North  Carolina  **  gold  stock." 

I  am  not  about  to  advance  objections  to,  or  recommenda- 
tions of,  any  companies,  other  than  may  exist  in  a  list  of 
companies  working,  and  which  is  not  intended  to  be  invidi- 
ous, if  it  shall  be  so  construed.  I  give  the  list  with  the  object 
of  showing  what  has  really  been  done  in  the  country ;  and 


(    6    ) 


there  are  other  companies,  who  liave  equally  favourable 
positions,  prospects  and  leases,  who  will  another  season  pro- 
ceed vigorously  in  their  contemplated  operations. 

That  there  are  differences  between  the  companies  is  mat- 
ter of  course ;  and  those  diffeiences  consist  in  some  leases 
being  for  three  miles  square,  and  subsequent  ones  for  one 
mile  square.  Some  companies  are  located  upon  good  har- 
bours, enjoying  facilities  which  others  do  not.  Some  com- 
panies have  several  of  these  three  mile  leases :  some  com- 
panies have  several  one  mile  leases.  A  company  may  have 
only  a  single  permit  for  one  mile  square,  which  may  again 
in  some  part,  not  forty  rods  square,  have  more  value  than 
another  company^s  possessions  covering  miles  of  land  and  the 
best  harbours.  By  this  it  will  be  seen  how  necessary  it  is  to 
be  well  informed  as  to  localities,  geology  and  mineralogy,  as 
well  as  facilities,  which  are  so  materially  to  affect  the  value 
of  points  proposed  for  the  investment  of  capital. 

That  the  reader  may  commence  his  voyage  understand- 
ingly,  before  we  start  to  coast  round  the  shore,  I  have  pre- 
sented for  his  careful  perusal  with  the  maps,  a  broad  view 
of  the  whole  country,  defining  tlie  location  of  the  various 
strata  of  rocks,  of  which  the  mountains  and  valleys  are  com- 
posed, and  where  those  are  met  with. 

I  have  given  the  different  kinds  of  rock,  and  where  they 
occur,  together  with  the  mineralogical  contents  of  those  rocks, 
immediately  following ;  so  that  wherever  any  of  those  rocks 
are  found,  he  may  look  for  their  described  contents.  If 
those  are  not  there,  none  other  will  be ;  vice  versa^  wherever 
described  minerals  are  found,  there  look  for  the  rocks  to 
which  they  belong. 

A  close  study  of  the  few  pages  Iiere  presented  upon  this 
matter  of  '•  formation,  place,  and  contents  of  the  difl'erent 
rocks,"  will  enable  you  to  see  clearly  your  way  through  the 
country,  and  also  the  contents  of  the  hills  and  mountains, 
and  bottoms  of  the  lakes.  A  small  fragment,  picked  from 
the  beach  at  White  Fish  Point,  may  have  been  years  upon 
the  journey  from  the  place  of  its  detachment,  and  that  place 
may  be  hundreds  of  miles  from  you,  which  you  have  never 
been  nearer  to  than  at  present ;  still,  you  will  be  able  to  put 
your  finger  upon  the  spots  of  the  nativity  of  its  kind. 

So  wUI  it  in  a  very  short  time  be  with  regard  to  specimens 


(  7  ) 

of  copper.  A  careful  perusal  of  the  contents  of  the  different 
rocks,  and  a  familiarity  with  specimens  which  I  have  depo- 
sited at  the  American  Institute,  will  enable  you  to  tell  at  a 
glance  what  rock,  region,  and  often  the  vein,  a  specimen  has 
come  from ;  and  what  has  come  to  be  called  "  graftingy**  or 
taking  specimens  from  one  location,  and  pretending  that  they 
came  from  another,  where  the  rock  is  different,  you  will  soon 
detect. 

I  have  also  given  a  list  of  native  metals,  their  appearance, 
colour,  consistency,  gravity  and  situation  found  in. 

I  present  a  list  of  terms  used  by  miners,  with  their  signi- 
ncation,  accompanied  with  certain  geological  and  mineralo- 
gical  terms  which  occur  in  the  pages.  I  also  show  the  entire 
coast,  the  rivers,  harbours,  islands,  Fon  du  Lac  and  St.. 
Louis  rivers. 

To  the  traveller  for  pleasure,  let  me  say  a  few  words. 
When  you  shall  have  read  the  round  upon  which  I  have 
taken  the  coaster,  you  will  probably  shrink  from  the  toils  of 
following  the  shore,  and  wish  to  go  direct  and  quick  from 
place  to  place,  or  tarry  a  time  at  one  place  and  then  go  to 
another — in  either  case,  there  will  be  every  provision  next 
season.  A  steamboat,  large,  staunch,  commodious  and  safe : 
a  propeller  with  all  these  qualities  also,  and  a  number  of  very 
convenient  schooners,  as  will  be  seen  by  the  list  of  vessels 
on  Lake  Superior.  If  you  are  in  pursuit  of  pleasure, 
whether  lady  or  gentleman,  you  can  find  it  in  the  Lake 
Superior  region,  provided  you  can  be  pleased  with  grand 
scenery,  water-falls,  lakes  and  mountains.  You  can  ramble 
in  search  of  Agates  and  Cornelians,  in  which,  of  all  I  have 
seen  engaged,  I  have  never  known  one  tire  of  the  amuse- 
ment yet ;  to  become  so  fatigued  as  to  stretch  upon  the  peb- 
bled shore  and  search  within  the  reach,  then  crawl  a  space 
and  there  search  on,  and  still  as  anxious  and  intent  as  when 
first  beginning,  till  time,  who  is  flying  while  you  are  absorbed 
and  unconscious  of  his  flight,  begins  to  dim  your  vision  with 
a  declining  sun,  and  weaken  discrimination  of  the  prize  you 
seek  ; — then  rousing  to  consciousness,  you  see  the  sun  that 
hung  high  in  the  heavens  when  you  commenced  your  search, 
just  sinking  in  the  waves,  and  reflecting,  you  seem  to  have 
been  away  in  another  world  and  just  returned ;  you  look 
«iboiit  for  some  knowa  object  almost  doubting  your  identity ; 


^>i 


(    6    ) 

reluctantly  you  shape  your  course  for  home,  but  hope  linger 
ing  hangs  upon  the  way  ;  though  fatigued  and 

O'erloaded  with  the  selections  fancy  found,  ..^ 

You'll  pick,  look — *  one  more,'  you'll  say —  '     v . 

"  Another  with  those  't  are  to  be  ground," 
Or  examined  dry,  be  thrown  away. 

This  is  Agate  hunting,  as  all  will  testify  who  have  tried  it, 
the  most  fascinating  and  bewildering  yet  certainly  innocent 
amusement.  I  have  seen  a  staid  and  dignified  old  Governor 
stretched  at  length  upon  the  shore  from  very  exhaustion, 
absorbed  and  lost  to  every  thing  but  examining  agates,  con- 
suming half  an  hour  in  scrutinizing  and  admiring  the  varie- 
gated tints,  the  beautiful  blending  of  shades  and  colours,  and 
the  regularity  of  the  myriads  of  diverging  and  concentrating 
lines  of  different  colours  in  an  agate  he  gazed  upon,  not 
larger  in  circumference  than  a  dime ;  or  tired  of  this  you  can 
wander  away  with  "  hook  and  line,"  to  the  bright  and  beau- 
tiful lakes  that  lie  among  the  hills ;  or  take  your  gun,  for 

The  Pigeon  and  the  Partridge's  there, 
The  wild  Duck  and  the  timid  Hare — 

but  no  snakes  !  I  have  never  heard  of  any  in  the  country. 
Or  take  a  bark  canoe,  which  two  or  three  trials  will  make 
you  at  home  in,  for  they  are  much  easier  to  get  the  "  hang  " 
of,  than  most  persons  suppose ;  go  to  the  adjacent  islands, 
run  into  the  caverns  and  grottos  which  cannot  be  reached  in 
any  other  way.  You  may  find  rare  agates  there  after  a  gale, 
and  when  you  return,  keep  along  the  shore  and  examine  the 
bottom  marked  by  the  white  spar  veins  discernible  at  thirty 
or  forty  feet  deep,  or  nearer  shore  with  a  forked  stick  bring 
up  the  stones  you  fancy  agates  beyond  the  roach  of  those  on 
shore,  and  when  you  get  back  you  will  have  an  appetite ; 
the  tonic  air  of  that  region,  and  the  water,  will  make  a  new 
being  of  you  in  a  few  weeks.  The  air  is  bracing  yet  soft,  and 
is  pleasant  in  *'  dog  days,"  without  producing  that  faintness 
and  lassitude  of  the  warm  weather  you  have  been  used  to  : 
and  the  water — well,  you  will  not  be  singular,  you  will  then 
say  you  have  never  drank  any  water  before  ;  and  when  you 
return  whence  you  came,  and  again  drink  of  that  you  once 
thought  delicious,  you  will  condemn  it  as  an  adulteration,  or 
spurious. 


)t 


(    9    ) 

To  the  invalid,  I  have  a  few  words  to  say,  for  his  infor- 
mation  ;  I  am  not  **  cracking  up  the  country,**  for  I  shall 
write  nothing  that  all  who  go,  will  not  find  as  I  represent  it, 
or  all  who  have  been  will  not  confirm,  either  on  this  or  any 
other  subject  of  their  acquaintance  which  I  treat  upon.  To 
you  I  say,  go  then  ;  although  your  health  is  impaired  you 
cannot  be  injured,  and  I  know  one  gentleman  who  had  been 
south;  had  been  to  Havannah  without  any  benefit;  one 
season  on  Lake  Superior  restored  him,  as  he  said,  to  com- 
parative health ;  he  was  a  companion  *  du  voyage.*  I  don*t 
know  why  it  should  not  relieve  consumptives  as  well  as 
others,  all  who  go  there  declare  they  feel  much  better — and 
I  know  I  did.  I  was  under  a  slight  chronic  and  cutaneous 
affliction  ;  I  was  told  that  the  lake  Fanny  Hoe,  on  which 
Fort  Wilkins  stands,  was  so  much  impregnated  with 
mineral,  that  a  soldier  died  from  drinking  of  it.  I  asked  if 
the  other  soldiers  had  not  drank  it  as  well  as  he,  and  waa 
informed  they  had,  but  its  water  had  since  been  analyzed 
and  found  to  contain  too  much  copper.  Upon  this  I  resolved 
to  drink  the  water  of  Fanny  Hoe  lake,  brackish  as  it  might 
be,  and  continued  to  do  so  while  there,  and  I  firmly  believe 
it  to  be  beneficial  in  cutaneous  affections.  I  didn*t  die,  as 
the  soldier  did,  but  felt  better  every  day  I  remained.  One 
thing  is  certain — the  half-breeds  and  natives  all  live  to  a  great 
nge,  notwithstanding  their  exposures:  and  sickness  from 
fevers,  colds,  inflammations  and  agues,  is  scarcely  known ; 
the  healthy  and  ruddy  appearance  of  all  you  meet  will  be  a  , 
stronger  guarantee  and  more  satisfactory  evidence,  oil' 
your  arrival,  than  any  philosophical  reasons  I  am  able  to 
give.  I  am  assured  there  will  be  prepared  early  next  spring, 
accommodations  for  travellers  and  sojourners,  at  all  the  places 
desirable  to  stop  at.  Even  now,  every  hospitality  is  afforded 
which  can  be,  but  especial  preparations  will  be  made  early, 
for  next  season*s  "  passengers  and  baggage  to  and  from  the 
steamboats.** 

The  maps  herewith  presented,  are  the  most  correct  possi- 
ble to  be  offered  at  this  time.  The  chart  of  Lake  Superior 
is  perfect.  It  may  not  be  generally  known,  that  Lake  Huron 
and  Lake  Superior  have  been  as  perfectly  surveyed  as  science 
and  time  can  do  it,  and  this  chart  is  a  resiUt.  Lieut.  Bayfield  * 
was  several  years  engaged  by  direction  of  the  British  govern" ' 


(     10     ) 

ment  upon  this  work.  The  chart  herewith,  is  a  copy  reduced 
by  the  "  London  Society  for  the  diffusion  of  useful  knowledge," 
from  the  map  reported  by  Bayfield  as  a  result  of  his  labours. 
Its  accuracy  is  attested  by  all  of  any  acquaintance  with  that 
Lake  and  shores. 

The  map  of  the  Mineral  Region  and  Locations  made,  was 
taken  fi-om  the  standard  map  in  the  office  of  the  Mineral 
Agency  at  Copper  Harbour,  containing  the  locations  made 
up  to  the  1st  day  of  November  last.  I  have  added  to  it 
many  lakes,  harbours,  rivers  and  islands.  So  far  as  leases 
are  granted,  this  map  is  perfect  in  designating  locations,  be- 
cause the  survey  is  made  by  a  United  States  surveyor  before 
the  lease  issues,  and  their  locations  may  be  depended  upon. 

The  numbers  and  squares  designating  Locations,  are 
in  tfte  main  likely  to  be  correct  when  in  tlie  vicinity  of 
Leases,  for  in  such  cases  the  locators  have  established  cor- 
ners and  lines  of  those  surveyed  Leases  to  work  from,  in 
measuring  and  describing  their  own.  But  as  I  am  deahng 
in  facts  with  the  reader,  I  must  say,  what  experience  has  al- 
ready shown,  and  the  future  must  confirm,  that  there  are 
difficulties  in  designating  upon  a  map,  without  any  great 
right  hnes  fixed  to  govern  it,  the  precise  position  of  an  isola- 
ted survey.  The  location  may  be  correct  in  all  particulars 
ai  described,  the  starting  and  governing  points  all  known, 
and  the  measurements  correct,  while  its  position  upon  the 
map  would  be  erroneous  from  the  want  of  a  base  and  right 
line  whose  measurements  would  fix  it  accurately.  Another, 
and  which  may  hereafter  be  a  prolific  source  of  difficulty 
and  contention,  when  positions  come  to  be  defined  as  de- 
scribed, by  correct  surveys,  is  the  variation  of  the  magnetic 
needle  in  the  mineral  region ;  accompanied  too  with  the 
known  difficult  of  measuring  distances  correctly  in  the  thick 
bushes,  except  by  the  most  patient  and  careful  attention  to 
accuracy,  obtained  slowly  and  by  great  labour,  and  an  ad- 
herence to  an  undeviating  system ;  then  seldom,  or  never 
without  the  solar  compass  to  determine  at  every  station  the 
**  variation." 

In  this  particular,  of;. such  paramount  importance  in 
making  a  location,  some  I  know,  and  many  I  doubt  not, 
have  been  negUgent— defining  their  starting  points,  courses 
and  distancai  by  a  pocket  compoMif  and  pacing  their  mea- 


(  11  ) 


«« 


was 


are 


surements.  All  can  judge  of  the  probable  results  in  such 
cases  from  a  statement  given  me  by  Mr*  Hill,  one  of  Dr. 
Houghton*s  head  surveyors,  that  there  were  places  in  the 
mineral  region,  where  the  compass  would,  following  a  given 
course  by  it,  lead  on  a  serai-circle  in  running  one  mile. 
Now  suppose  an  individual,  in  locating  a  permit  with  an 
ordinary  surveyor's  compass,  has  started  his  course  east  at 
one  of  these  places,  and  has  run  a  semi-circle  ;  he  does  not 
know  that  he  has  so  ran,  and  consequently  says  in  his  de- 
scription, "  from  thence,  east  one  mile  to  a  blazed  Spruce 
tree,  which  is  the  north-east  corner."  He  does  not  know  but 
it  is  so,  and  goes  and  marks  his  position  and  gets  his  permit 
certified  with  this  description.  When  this  location  is  run 
out  by  his  given  courses  and  distances,  with  a  corrected  com- 
pass, his  "blazed  tree  "  is  found  to  be  about  three-fourths  of 
a  mile  firom  where  he  supposed  it  was ;  and  the  mineral  he 
intended  to  locate  upon,  is  off  of  his  location.  To  what  ex- 
tent this  is  the  case  I  have  no  means  or  disposition  for  esti- 
mating. Again,  there  have  been  persons  lingering  about  the 
office  at  Copper  Harbour,  with  pockets  full  of  Permits  for 
persons  never  in  the  country,  and  never  intending  to  be  tlxere, 
who  came  to  be  known  by  the  name  of "  Pawnees^''*  from 
their  putting  their  paws  upon  the  shoulder,  and  "a  word  in 
your  ear  "  to  every  explorer  who  had  really  made  examina- 
tions, the  moment  he  arrived.  One  would  not  be  done  with 
his  **  one  side  "  inquiries,  before  another  paw,  and,  **  a  word 
in  private  "-—each  hoping  to  get  an  unguarded  word  on  which 
to  locate  some  of  his  "friends*  permits.**  I  was  told,  with 
what  truth  I  know  not,  though  my  authority  was  an  •  old 
'un,*  that  some  of  the  Pawnees  have  been  *»  awfully  stuck,*' 
to  use  his  expressions;  **  for,'*  said  he,  *•  some  of  their  per- 
mits are  located  where  they  carCt  touch  land  up,  nor  doton^ 
nor  sideways — and  others  ain^t  nowhere,^^  This  might  have 
been  true  in  some  particulars,  but  usually  the  "  Pawnees,** 
where  a  location  was  marked  on  the  map  by  an  explorer, 
located  around  that,  and  bounded  from  its  description  in 
making  out  their  own,  which  I  have  no  doubt  in  many  cases 
will  cover  the  spot  the  explorer  intended.  An  anecdote  is 
related  of  two  of  these  Pawnees  in  whom  the  habits  of"  pri- 
vacy** was  extreme,  meeting  when  each  had  communications 
for  the  other.    They  met  in  an  open  space,  twenty  rods  from 


(     12    ) 

ahy  person,  and  after  whispering  in  each  other*s  ears  as  if 
announcing  their  mutual  desire  to  be  "private,"  locked  arms 
and  walked  to  a  more  remote  position. 


CHAPTER  II. 


A  VIEW  OF  THE  SHORES,  RIVERS,    BAYS,  HARBOURS,  AND 
ISLANDS  OF  LAKE  SUPERIOR. 

All  explorers,  with  scarcely  an  exception,  when  they  set 
out  for  the  first  time,  encumber  themselves  with  about  as 
much  that  is  useless  as  that  is  useful.  I  will  therefore  state 
what  is  necessary  only,  as  the  necessaries  are  usually  found 
quite  burdensome  enough. 

If  you  intend  to  "  coast  round,"  you  must  provide  at  the 
Sault  St.  Mary  a  bark  canoe  sufficient  for  your  number,  and 
provisions  for  the  estimated  time,  which  must  allow  for  de- 
tentions, &c.,  until  you  reach  Grand  Island,  as  there,  at 
Granite  Point,  (Dead  River,)  and  L*Anse,  provisions  will 
probably  be  obtainable  next  season.  You  will  require  a  tent, 
two  blankets  for  each,  a  camp  kettle,  frying  pan,  tin  cups 
and  plates — if  you  are  nice,  a  coffee-pot,  ground  coffee,  and 
sugar;  but  the  plates,  coffee-pot,  &.c.,  may  be  dispensed 
with,  and  often  are,  the  kettle  or  frying-pan  being  the  dish 
from  which  each  helps  himself, — the  knife  is  in  your  belt. 
The  sail  of  your  canoe  is  laid  upon  the  boughs,  which  are 
first  spread  upon  the  ground  in  the  tent,  and  then  your 
blankets.  At  landing,  the  canoe  is  not  allowed  to  touch  the 
bottom,  but  you  get  out  into  the  water  and  unload  it,  which 
is  then  Ufted  out  upon  the  shore,  turned  bottom  upward,  and 
your  stores  are  secured  under  it ;  your  tent  is  pitched,  a  fire 
built,  &c.  This  is  all,  however,  the  work  of  the  voyageurs, 
who,  from  practice,  will  despatch  it  with  a  facility  that  will 
quite  astonish  a  new  traveller. 

Your  clothing  should  be  a  pair  of  thick-soled  boots  of  cow- 
hide ;  no  stockings  are  required,  but  most  persons  wear  them, 
and  consequently  have  the  nightly  recurring  duty  of  drying 
them  almost  dry,  and  thus  putting  them  on  damp  in  the 
morning,  producing  a  contest  between  the  boots  and  feet  of 


(    13    ) 

entrance  and  resistance,  rather  disagreeable.  A  pair  of  pants 
of  cotton  canvass,  and  a  coat  of  tlie  same  to  reach  below  the 
knee,  with  side  and  breast  pockets.  Cotton  canvass  is  found 
to  be  as  good  ns  anything  to  turn  water,  and  the  best  to  turn 
the  brush,  which  is  a  work  of  labour  and  perseverance  often 
to  be  endured  for  hours  in  exploring.  A  red  flannel  shirt, 
will  not  require  so  often  washing  as  a  cotton  one,  and  "  it  is 
always  warm  and  dry,  though  never  so  wet  and  cold  ;"  be- 
sides, washer-women  are  rather  scarce,  and  when  you  have 
performed  the  office  yourself  a  few  times,  you  will  become 
less  fastidious  in  relation  to  such  matters.  A  red  woollen 
comforter.  No  suspenders  ;  they  will  confine  you  in  crawl- 
ing under  logs  and  limbs,  and  through  difficult  passages  in 
the  cedar  thickets.  A  belt,  carrying  a  hatchet  and  knife, 
buckled  round  the  waist,  will  sustain  your  pants,  and  allow 
free  exercise  of  your  body  and  limbs.  A  wool  hat,  with  wide 
brim  and  low,  round  crown,  is  the  best  to  turn  rain  and 
brush.  A  pocket  compass,  and  perhaps  a  pipe,  completes 
your  equipment,  saving  a  few  fish  hooks  and  line.  These 
are  the  really  necessaries,  though  most  travellers  are  not  con- 
tent with  them.  Experience,  however,  shows  the  necessity 
of  being  divested  of  everything  which  may  be  dispensed  with ; 
for,  portages  and  journeys  have  to  be  made,  in  which  every 
thing,  even  the  canoe,  must  be  carried  for  considerable  dis- 
tances, on  which  occasions  "  blessed  be  nothing."  Habit, 
however,  brings  power  of  endurance  which  many  would  not 
believe,  and  I  have  seen  a  packer,  himself  weighing  less  than 
145  lbs.,  who  could  take  upon  his  back  200  lbs.  weight,  and 
make  good  time  upon  the  portages. 

In  coasting,  it  is  necessary  to  have  at  least  one  good 
•*  voi/ageur"  as  they  term  themselves,  who  will  most  prob- 
ably be  a  Frenchman  or  a  half-breed,  who  understands  the 
coast  and  weather-signs, — superintends  the  unlading  and 
camping — interprets — knows  where  fish  may  be  taken — the 
proper  places  for  landing,  and  whose  counsels — as  to  whatever 
implicates  safety  or  convenience  must  be  followed,  and  with 
rare  exceptions  may  be ;  for,  experience  makes  them  wise  in 
things  which  gives  their  knowledge  the  appearance  of  intui- 
tion, when  contrasted  with  their  general  endowments — as, 
the  coming  of  a  storm,  the  probabilities  of  reaching  a  par- 
ticular necessary  landing-place  by  a  given  time,  &c.,  &c. 
3 


(    14    ) 


So  much  depends  upon  the  voyageur.  If  the  interior  is  to 
be  visited,  he  can  generally  tell  you  the  route,  nature  of  the 
country,  &c.  It  will  sometimes  occur  that  you  will  be  de- 
tained for  two  or  three  days  at  a  stopping-place  by  high 
winds,  but  this  is  a  rare  occurrence.  At  other  times,  when 
the  weather  is  favourable,  you  will  sail  on  during  the  night, 
which  is  determined  by  the  voyageur*s  opinion  of  the  weather, 
and  knowledge  of  the  coast  to  be  passed. 

Being  in  all  things  prepared,  you  set  out  from  the  Sauk 
St.  Mary,  generally  in  the  afternoon :  for  starting  is  rather 
difficult,  from  the  fact,  that  your  voyageur  will  be  drunk  from 
the  time  he  is  engaged  until  your  departure  ;  and  you  will 
start  with  the  purpose  of  going  a  few  miles  that  day,  and 
having  him  sober  next  morning,  when  the  voyage  really 
commences. 

You  will  be  surprised  in  the  morning,  to  see  what  a 
change  one  night  has  made  in  him.  Until  now,  he  has 
taken  no  interest  in  the  preparations  for  the  voyage,  but 
here,  he  is  aware  that  his  responsibilities  have  commenced, 
and,  instead  of  the  beastly  and  besotted  creature  he  was 
yesterday,  he  b  taking  a  mental  inventory  of  whatever  pre- 
paration has  been  made;  each  article  of  use  is  minutely 
examined ;  alterations  and  improvements,  if  necessary,  are 
made ;  occasionally  he  casts  a  look  upon  the  circle  of  the 
heavens  for  indications,  as  a  book  long  studied ;  you  "  turn 
out,"  and  are  surprised  that  he  has  been  up  with  the  dawu, 
and  break&st  is  about  ready  ; — this  over,  if  the  weather  to 
his  mind  is  unpropitious,  or  he  has  private  reasons,  he  will 
find  that  the  canoe  requires  some  tightening,  and,  putting  his 
lips  to  the  suspected  spots,  will  find,  or  pretend  to  find  air- 
holes. These  he  stops  by  taking  a  burning  brand  and  hold- 
ing it  near  the  gummed  joint,  or  seam,  and  when  the  gum 
is  softened,. he  rubs  it  down  with  his  wet  finger  ;  if  this  do 
not  detain  him  until  his  mind  is  fixed,  as  to  the  weather  and 
other  matters,  he  will  find  other  expedients,  and  without 
knowing  his  reasons  for  delaying,  you  change  mind  in  re- 
gard to  him,  and  believe  him  a  lazy  fellow  ;— >but  you  can't 
go  back,  and  must  endure  it.  While  you  are  arriving  at 
this  erroneous  opinion  of  the  Indian,  he  is  doing  exactly  the 
reverse  with  you,  and  his  advantages  in  that  contest  are  far 
greater  than  yours.    This  is  your  first  voyage  and  first  ao- 


(     15    ) 


quaintance  with  his  kind,  but  he  has  been  all  his  life  in  this 
business,  and  thus  made  long  voyages  in  company  of  some 
of  the  most  qualified  and  enlightened  gentlemen  of  the 
world ; — perhaps  when  a  boy  he  was  with  Porter  running 
the  boundary  ;  later,  he  might  have  been  a  man  with  Bay- 
field, and  every  year  has  thrown  him  with  men  to  draw 
companions  by,  precisely  what  he  is  now  doing  with  you. 
Now  mark  the  necessi^  of  his  showing  you  well ; — ^you  are 
under  his  charge  in  fact,  for  this  business  is  his  living,  and 
his  reputation  as  a  voyageur  has  procured  his  employment 
for  you.  You  did  not  hire  him— -Mr.  Livingston,  the  Ame- 
rican Fur  Company's  Agent  at  St.  Mary,  probably  fur- 
nished him,  and  if  he  did,  he  knows  him  better  than  you 
ever  will,  and  knows  you  are  safe  with  him.  But  why  does 
this  Indian  wish  to  know  you  ?  may  be  asked ;  he  merely 
wants  to  know  your  calibre,  if  I  may  so  speak,  and  then  he 
fixes  you  at  your  proper  place  on  his  scale  of  men,  in  order 
to  know  when  and  on  what  points  to  consult  you, — ^to  know 
what  dependence  can  be  placed  upon  you  in  an  emergency ; 
and  these  points,  you  may  be  sure,  are  all  settled  in  his  mind 
before  he  passes  White  Fish  Point.  He  now  knows  you  by 
contrast ;  you  only  know  him  as  you  first  saw  him,  a  be- 
sotted, helpless  being,  and  you  cannot  help  divining  him  as 
such.  You  may  go  the  whole  voyage,  even  repeat  it,  with- 
out an  occasion  presenting  itself  for  that  Indian  to  exhil>it 
what  he  really  is  ;  but  if  one  should  come,  in  which  he  is 
required  to  put  forth  his  powers  of  judgment,  skill,  or  endu- 
rance, to  preserve  the  safety  of  one  committed  to  his  charge, — 
then,  and  only  then,  can  the  true  character, — the  endurance 
and  self-devotion  of  those  hardy  and  honest  hearted  voya- 
geurs  be  truly  known.  Gay  and  mirthful  by  nature  and 
habit, — patient  and  enduring  at  labor, — seeking  neither  care 
nor  wealth,  and  though  fond  of  their  families,  "  take  no  heed 
for  the  morrow."  Such  are  the  "  voyageurs  "  of  the  Lakes,  a 
distinct  and  different  people  from  all  others  upon  the  globe. 
These  voyageurs^  or  Coureurs  des  Bois,  as  some  call 
them,  have  many  sketches  and  songs,  to  the  chorus  of  which 
they  ply  their  oars,  and  cheer  their  toil.  The  following  two 
are  much  in  vogue,  and  heard  from  a  full  crew  in  a  still 
night,  well  might  have  given  origin  in  the  heart  of  Moore, 
to  his  **  Canadian  Boat  Song."    These  were  formerly  pub- 


(     IG    ) 

lished  in  a  work  entitled  *  Tales  of  the  Northwest,'*  but  are 
still  in  use, — one  leading  with  the  text,  the  others  joining  in 
the  chorus.  Dr.  Ifoughton*s  crew  woke  me  at  the  dawn  of 
day  with  their  song,  the  last  time  he  departed  from  Copper 

Harbor. 

* 

1.        ^     ■ 

Tous  les  printemps 
Tant  de  nouvelle. 
Tous  lea  amants 
Changent  de  maitrekses — 
Le  bon  vin  me  endort 
L'amour  me  revielle. 

Tous  les  amants 
Changent  de  maitresses, 
Qu'ils  changent  qui  voudront 
Pour  moi  je  garde  la  mienne— 
Le  bon  vin  me  endort 
L'amour  me  revielle. 


2. 

Dans  mon  chemin  j'ai  rencontre 
Trois  cavaliers  bon  montees 
Lon,  Ion  laridon  daine, 
Lon,  Ion  laridon  dai. 

Trois  cavaliers  bien  montees 
L'un  a  cheval  a  I'autre  a  pied 
Lon,  Ion  laridon  daine 
Lon,  lon  laridon  dai. 


CHAPTER   III. 

The  Sault  St.  Mary*s  was  last  year  reached  by  taking 
steamboats  of  the  Chicago  Une  at  any  of  the  ports,  and  from 
which  passengers  landed  at  Mackinaw,  which  the  tourist 
finds  a  most  beautiful  and  pleasant  place  in  hot  weather, 
which  was  the  resort  and  sojourn  of  many  last  season. 
From  Mackinaw  a  steamboat,  I  am  assured,  will  run  daily ^ 
instead  of  tri-weekly,  next  year,  to  the  St.  Mary^s.  This 
route,  for  beauty,  boldness,  and  diversity  of  scenery,  is  un- 
equalled in  the  world  as  a  panorama.    It  is  for  most  of  the 


(     17    ) 

way  among  the  **  Ten  Thousand  Islands^''*  as  reported  by 
Lieut.  Bayaeld  of  the  Royal  Topographical  Engineers,  who 
was  for  several  years  employed  by  the  British  government  in 
surveying  Lakes  Huron  and  Superior.  He  reports  having 
been  upon  twenty  thousand  islands  in  Lake  Huron,  and  that 
ten  thousand  of  them  lie  in  and  around  the  embochure  of 
River  St.  Mary*s  into  Lake  Huron.  The  steamboat  is  con- 
tinually winding  its  devious  way  among  these  islands  of  va- 
rious sizes,  standing  amid  waters  of  vast  depth  at  their  very 
margins.  Some  are  large,  and  covered  with  forests  of  sugar 
maple ;  others  bring  forth  only  the  cedar  from  the  opening 
crevices  in  their  sides;  others  bear  upon  their  brows  the 
stinted  pine  and  silver  fir ;  while  others  are  but  stupendous 
piles  of  naked  rocks,  whose  perpendicular  sides,  as  you  pass 
them,  sometimes  within  a  few  feet,  show  by  their  disjointed 
seams  a  "  crash  of  matter  and  a  wreck  of  worlds"  must  have 
raised  them  in  their  giddy  heights  and  overhanging  positions. 
Anon,  the  **  slow  bell"  rings,  and  gradually  the  boat  turns 
at  a  right  angle  from  a  lake-like  space,  and  enters  a  labyrinth 
of  islands,  from  out  of  which  an  inexperienced  pilot  might 
not  find  his  way  for  days.  On  one  hand  open  deep  caverns 
in  island  rocks,  and  on  the  other  are  spread  out  in  solitude 
the  small  grassy  meadows  where  foot  of  beast  never  trod. 
Along  Lake  George,  upon  the  projecting  points  and  island 
shores,  are  often  seen  the  Indian*s  wigwam.  There  these 
children  of  nature  ply  their  only  toil,  procuritig  food,  mainly 
from  fishing,  content  in  primitive  simplicity,  and  free  from 
the  great  sources  of  unhappiness  and  care  to  the  civilized — 
fashion,  and  the  accompanying  responsibilities. 

St.  M ary^s  has  been  the  location  of  a  few  Indians  from 
the  time  of  the  first  travellers,  and  the  resort  for  large  num- 
bers of  the  natives  for  fishing  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids.  In 
the  sale  of  the  lands  to  the  United  States  a  strip  bordering 
the  north  side  of  the  Sault  was  reserved  as  a  camping  and 
fishing  ground,  which  is  known  and  regarded  as  the  "  Indian 
reservation."  There  is  also  another  reservation  of  twenty 
square  miles,  including  this  first,  and  the  present  village  of 
St.  Mary,  Fort  Brady,  &c.,  known  as  the  "  government  re- 
servation." The  Indian  reservation  is  included  in  and 
bounded  by  the  principal  street  or  road  over  the  portage,  on 
the  south,  and  the  Sault  or  rapids  on  the  north,  and  by  their 


V 


(     IB     ) 

head  and  foot,  including  nii  island  in  the  stream,  running 
nearly  the  whole  length.  This  reservation  is  not  interfered 
with  by  the  whites,  but  the  half-breeds  are  beginning  to  erect 
buildings  upon  it.  It  is  upon  this  reservation  the  proposed 
St.  Mary's  Canal  must  be  constructed  when  done  Upon 
the  United  States,  or  government  reservation,  are  built  the 
forty  or  fifty  houses  which  constitute  St.  Mary's,  containing 
a  population  of  200  inhabitants  of  all  nations,  colours,  grades, 
and  languages,  exclusive  of  the  Indian  lodges.  Their  titles 
are  those  of  "  squatters,"  and  are  conveyed  by  quit-claim  of 
pre-emption,  which  are  recognised,  however,  in  all  questions 
of  possession  by  the  local  courts,  and  quite  a  speculation  is 
carried  on  in  "  corner  and  water  lots."  In  1721,  Charle- 
voix visited  this  place,  said  to  be  a  short  time  after  it  was 
founded.  In  1762,  it  contained  but  four  buildings,  two  of 
which  were  occupied  as  barracks,  with  a  stockade  fort  and 
garrison.  That  old  fort  is  entirely  destroyed.  In  1820, 
there  were  six  or  seven  dwelling  houses.  It  is  in  Chippeway 
County,  Mich.  There  is  also  a  mission  school  under  the 
charge  of  Mr.  Brookway.  The  American  Fur  Company 
have  a  station  here  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Living- 
ston, a  business  man,  and  gentleman  of  long  residence  and 
experience  in  the  north-western  country.  The  United  States 
have  also  a  mineral  agency,  filled  by  Mr.  S.  M'Knight,  and 
a  post-office,  custom-house,  and  Indian  agency.  There  are 
several  forwarding  establishments,  two  pubhc  houses,  (the 
poorest  house  is  the  best  tavern,)  several  stores,  &c. 

St.  Marv's  is  accessible  to  the  British  from  the  north,  it 
being  but  ten  days'  travel  by  boats  between  James'  Bay  and 
this  place,  from  whence  the  supplies  of  the  Hudson's  Bay 
station  at  Pentenguishecn,  on  Lake  Huron,  are  received,  and 
is  the  route  for  all  of  their  people  to  England,  from  the 
northern  and  upper  stations.  Through  here,  too,  could  an 
army  be  thrown,  by  a  little  preparation,  upon  our  northern 
frontier,  before  their  landing  upon  this  continent  was  known 
at  Washinjrton. 

From  St.  Mary's  the  river  is  wide  and  beautiful  to  Pohit 
au  Pins,  (Piny  Point)  where  we  left  the  canoe  and  voyageur, 
and  from  there  we  will  now  proceed  on  our  voyage,  and 
nine  miles  brings  to  Iroquois  Point,  opposite  to  which,  on 
the  Canada  shore,  three  miles  distant,  is  Gross  Cape,  (Great 


^^ 


(     19    ) 


Cape.)  The  event  which  gave  name  to  Iroquois  (Nado-wa- 
ga-quin-ing — the  place  of  Iroquois  bones,)  is  thus  described 
by  H.  R.  Schoolcraft,  in  a  discourse  before  the  Historical 
Society  of  Michigan,  and  describing  the  victorious  and  bloody 
advance  of  a  large  Iroquois  war  party  (in  1680)  to  this  place, 
' — he  says  : 

"  Their  passage  through  the  river,  and  the  audacious  and 
reckless  spirit  which  they  had  everywhere  manifested,  had 
been  watched.  The  Chippewas  hastily  mustered  their  forces, 
and  prepared  to  follow  them.  When  they  had  reached  the 
head  of  the  straits  opposite  the  Iroquois  camp,  the  weather 
became  threatening,  and  it  was  debated  whether  they  should 
not  defer  their  passage  till  next  day.  In  this  dilemma  their 
prophet,  or  seer,  was  appealed  to,, and  he,  after  the  usual 
ceremonies,  declared  a  favourable  omen.  They  awaited  the 
approach  of  night,  and  embarked  in  two  divisions.  The 
darkness  of  the  night  was  extremely  favourable  to  their  enter- 
prise. The  parties  landed  at  separate  places,  and  formed  a 
junction  in  ^he  woods  in  the  rear  of  the  Iroquois  camp. 
The  prophet  acre  declared  another  favourable  omen.  They 
then  sent  forward  some  scouts  to  observe  the  condition  of 
the  enemy,  who  appeared  totally  unconscious  of  danger,  and 
were  still  singing  their  war  songs.  It  was  determined  to 
remain  in  their  concealed  condition  until  the  enemy  had 
gone  to  sleep.  It  then  commenced  raining.  They  advanced 
in  the  rain  and  darkness,  cautiously  feehng  their  way,  to  the 
edge  of  the  woods.  They  then  made  their  onset.  The 
struggle  was  fierce,  but  of  short  duration.  As  had  been 
concerted,  each  lodge  was  surrounded  at  the  same  moment ; 
the  poles  lifted,  and  the  tent  precipitated  upon  the  sleepers, 
who  were  despatched  as  they  started  up  bewildered  and  en- 
tangled in  their  tents.  A  great  slaughter  ensued.  Very  fev/ 
of  the  Iroquois  escaped  to  carry  the  news  of  the  disaster,  nor 
did  their  nation  ever  renew  their  inroad."  From  Iroquois 
Point,  N.  W. 

White  Fish  Point  is  thirly  miles,  and 
Tonquamcnon  River  is  fifteen  miles,  thence 
River  nine  miles,  and  tlience  to  White  Fish 
thirly  miles  direct,  and  forty  mile-*  by  coast. 


by   coast   to 

to  Sheldrake 

Point,  being 

Here  is  the 


entrance  upon  Lake  Superior ;  the  coast  runs  west  with  sand 


[     -^0     ) 


hills  for  eighteen  miles,  wlien  it  falls  olF  soulli-we&t  six  miles, 
being  twenty-four  miles  to 

Two  Heart  River.  From  this  the  coast  again  runs  west, 
and  the  high  sand  hills  continue  for  twenty-one  miles  to 

East  Grand  Marias,  or  Hm'ricane  River  and  Bay.  This 
is  a  large  bay,  with  sandy  shores,  shaped  very  like  Copper 
Harbour,  but  a  narrow  entrance,  varying  at  times  from  two 
to  five  feet  upon  the  bar.  Upon  the  main  shore,  which  con- 
tinues west,  are  sand  hills,  continuing  nine  miles  to  Grand 
Sable,  which  are  100  to  300  feet  high,  and  when  surmount- 
ed at  a  distance  of  three  miles  back,  the  country  is  level, 
sandy  and  barren.  A  small  lake  of  good  fresh  water  is 
found  in  this  plane,  containing  abundance  offish,  which  has 
neither  inlet  nor  outlet.  From  here  the  coast  rung  south- 
west twelve  miles  to  the  Pictured  Rocks. 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Pictured  Rocks,  (La  Partaille.)  The  best  description  I 
have  met  with,  and  which  is  sUsStained  by  all  others,  of  these 
rocks,  is  the  following  one  by  A.  B.  Gray,  Esq.,  one  of  the 
assistant  mineral  agent.  He  says  :  "  Commcnchig  a  little 
west  of  Miner's  River,  and  extending  easterly  for  ten  or 
twelve  miles,  is  a  high  and  perpendicular  wall  of  sand  stone, 
rising  to  a  height  of  three  hundred  feet,  of  horizontal  strata, 
several  feet  in  thickness,  coloured  with  various  bright  and 
beautiful  tints  of  vegetable  and  mineral  matters,  and  forming 
one  of  the  most  picturesque  and  deeply  interesting  natural 
curiosities  in  America.  The  water  near  its  base  is  a  clear 
emerald  green  of  great  depth,  allowing  vessels  to  approach 
within  a  i'liw  feet  of  the  narrow  pebbly  beach  here  and  there 
to  be  met  with,  and  elsewhere  the  rock  itself  rising  immedi- 
ately out  of  the  lake.  Successive  curves  of  half  a  mile  in 
length,  caused  by  the  wearing  away  the  soft  sand  rock  by 
the  waves,  appearing  like  painted  walls  of  an  amphitheatre, 
and  continue  for  nearly  the  whole  distance,  occasionally 
interrupted  by  n  small  stream,  or  cascade  lea])ing  from  the 
precipice.  When  near  its  base  in  a  small  boat,  the  project- 
ing summit  of  this  uuifsive  stnidiue  presents  a  grand  and 


(  •-*'  ) 


|x  miles, 

(lis  west, 

to 

,  This 

Copper 
torn  two 
Ich  con- 

Grand 

'inount- 

|is  level, 

'ater  is 

ich  bas 

south - 


iption  I 
)f  these 
i  of  the 
a  little 
ten  or 
stone, 
strata, 
ht  and 
►rrnijig 
latural 
I  clear 
)roach 

I  tliere 
iniedi- 
iilc  ill 
•k  by 
eatre, 
»niilly 

II  the 
jject- 
1  and 


awfiil  sight.  Rotundas,  caves  and  domes  with  arched  en- 
trances, curiously  and  beautifully  formed,  are  numerous. 
One  cavern,  which  we  sailed  into  with  our  boat,  had  an 
arched  way  of  fifty  feet  in  height  and  thirty  in  width,  which 
suddenly  expanded  into  a  high  and  singularly  constructed 
rotunda  of  two  hundred  feet  in  diameter.  The  *  Doric 
Rock,*  the  *  Pulpit,'  and  *  Des  Partaille,'  and  other  features 
of  this  portion  of  the  southern  coast  of  Lake  Superior,  called 
the  *  Pictured  Rocks,'  altogether  constituting  scenery  of 
grandeur  and  beauty  unsurpassed.  The  tops  of  these  rocks 
are  covered  with  a  small  but  symmetrical  growth  of  silver- 
fir,  spruce,  maple  and  birch,  and  in  this  month  (October) 
their  rich  and  variegated  foliage  presented  a  strikingly  beau- 
tiful appearance."     Six  miles  is 

Miner^s  River  and  Dorick  Rock. — This  river  is  very 
rapid  near  its  mouth,  making  a  quick  descent  to  the 
Lake,  through  the  Sand  rock.  Pursuing  the  coast,  which 
is  rocky,  and  runs  S.  W.  twelve  miles,  forming  the  east  side 
of  Grand  Island  Bay,  is  the  bottom  of  that  bay,  where  the 
shore  turns  almost  due  north,  and  a  small  and  nameless 
stream  enters.     From  this  north  three  miles  is 

Grand  Island,  which  is  nearly  about  a  mile  from  the 
main  land,  three  miles  long  N.  and  S.,  and  one  and  a  half 
E.  and  W.,  with  two  small  islands  on  the  west  side.  This 
island  and  bay  presents  one  of  the  best  harbors  on  the  whole 
chain  of  Lakes,  easy  of  access,  and  safe  from  any  wind. 
The  land  upon  the  island  is  500  feet  high,  and  a  vessel  in 
its  southern  nook  is  almost  land  locked.  It  is  fertile,  and 
the  residence  of  a  Mr.  WiUiams,  who  has  considerable 
stock.  From  here  the  shore  curves  first  to  the  southward, 
forming  a  bay,  where  a  small  stream  enters,  then  a  semi- 
circle northward,  falling  quickly  south,  forming  another  bay, 
in  which,  at  a  distance  of  nine  miles  from  Grand  Island, 
enters  the 

River  au  Trains. — Three  miles  west  of  which,  and  on 
the  west  side  of  this  bay,  is  Train  Island,  which  is  a  small 
island,  near  the  shore.  The  shore  from  this  is  irregular, 
bearing  first  to  the  north,  then  west  for  six  miles,  to 

Laughing  Fish  River — Which  enters  a  small  bay,  fiom 
which  the  coast,  on  which  grows  pine,  spruce  and  hemlock, 


;il 


(    22     ) 

with  a  large  swamp  back,  runs  wfst  fifteen  miles,  passing 
Little  Sauble,  to 

Chocolate  River. — Tlie  mouth  of  this  river,  which  is  a 
considerable  stream,  and  takes  its  name  from  the  colour  of 
its  water,  is  146  miles  due  west  from  St.  Mary's.  This 
stream  is  for  several  miles,  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  feet 
^ide,  and  a  good  depth  inside  ;  but  the  sands  at  the  mouth 
make  it  difficult  of  entrance,  even  for  large  batteau.  It  has 
its  rise  in  a  lake  at  the  foot  of  the  mountains,  which  separate 
the  streams  falling  into  Green  Bay,  and  those  falling  into 
Lake  Superior,  and  winds  its  way  to  the  Lake  along  the 
base  of  rock  hills,  which  extend  to  S.  W.,  forming  the 
commencement  of  the  mineral  region,  while  the  east  side  is 
level  country.  The  timber  of  this  river  consists  of  maples, 
ash,  oak,  bass  wood,  and  pine.  The  soil  is  said  to  be  good. 
This  river  is  the  eastern  boundary  of,  and  from  it  west  is  the 
mineral  region. "  From  here,  the  general  bearing  of  the 
coast  is  N.  W.,  and  distant  six  miles  is  one  of  the  few 
rivers  of  the  South  shore  which  have  their  rise  beyond  the 
first  range  of  hills ;  and  here  commence  the  Trap  range  of 
hills,  rising  up  through  the  sand  stone  strata,  which  run 
S.  W.  nearly  unbroken,  to  the  head  of  Lake  Superior. 


■ 


CHAPTER   V.      ;  ,     > 

Dead  River  enters  the  bay  formed  by  the  south  side  of 
Granite  Point  and  the  main  land,  and  is  a  good  harbor, 
which  was  formerly  called  Presque  Isle  Bay,  but  which 
name  has  been  transported  six  miles  west,  where  a  Presque 
Isle  Bay  is  found  to  match  it,  just  under  what  was  formerly 
called  Granite  Point.  Bayfield  removed  Granite  Point  six 
miles  east  to  Dead  river,  and  Presque  Isle  Bay ;  and  I 
know  no  reason  why  Presque  Isle  cannot  be  spared  in  ex- 
change, particularly  as  it  had  three  names — remembering 
too,  that  all  the  names  out  of  the  genealogies  of  the  Israelites, 
have  been  "  used  up  "  to  form  mining  companies.  Here- 
ufler,  let  it  be  borne  in  mind  that  Granite  Point  is  removed 
to  Dead  River,  and  Presque  Isle  is  gone  six  miles  west 
of  it. 


(    23    ) 


[assing 

ih  is  a 
(lour  of 
This 

;d  feet 
Imouth 

It  has 


This  Dead  river  is  by  no  means  the  sluggish  river  its 
name  would  indicate,  for  it  is  one  of  the  most  rapid 
of  the  South  shores,  with  cascades  and  water-falls.  The 
Indian  name  was  "Ne-kom-e-non,"  "the  River  of  Deaths,"— 
undoubtedly  the  scene  of  several  deaths  of  some  former  time, 
which  the  early  French  very  correctly  called  "  Riviere  des 
Morts*"  Famier^s  map  has  it  "  Dead  River,"  and  Bayfield 
has  done  the  same,  which  is  farther  from  the  original  in 
meaning,  than  "  Living  River "  would  have  been.  The 
harbour  is  known  as  Granite  Point,  upon  Bayfield*s  chart, 
and  us  such  I  shall  call  it  under  the  head  of  ^^  Courses  and 
Distances "  in  another  place.  This  point  is  covered  by 
lease,  twenty  belonging  to  the  "  New- York  and  Lake  Su- 
perior Mining  Company,"  and  will  be  found  under  the  head 
of  "  Companies  Working."  The  river  mouth  is  under  the 
southeast  side  of  the  Peninsular;  a  sand  bar  prevents  an 
entrance,  though  inside  for  some  distance  it  is  broad  and 
deep.  The  peninsular  runs  north  and  south,  and  the  south 
bay  is  protected  from  all  but  a  strong  easterly  wind.  The 
north  bay  is  filled  with  islands  and  rocks,  but  a  good  harbour 
may  be  found  there  from  easterly  weather  when  it  would 
not  do  to  enter  the  south  bay.  Eighty  rods  from  the  north 
point  of  this  peninsular,  are  two  rocks  high  above  the  water 
which'  is  five  fathoms,  and  bold,  as  well  by  the  south  side  of 
these  rocks,  as  by  the  peninsular,  alongside  of  whose  bank 
a  vessel  may  be  unladen  with  a  plank  ;  the  course  between 
these  rocks  and  peninsular  is  N.  W.  and  S.  £. :  the  schooner 
Swallow,  was  beat  through  here  at  12  oVlock  at  night,  being 
the  27th  October,  w  ind  light  from  S.  E.; — a  shoal,  or  reef^ 
puts  off  east  and  north  from  the  easterly  one  of  these  rocks, 
a  distance  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  but  N.  E.  from  south  bay, 
will  be  sufficiently  east  to  clear  it.  There  is  also  shoal  water 
but  band  bottom  putting  off  east  from  the  south  point  of  the 
peninsular ;  but  from  the  mouth  of  the  river  an  easting  oT  80 
to  120  rods  is  required,  or  to  five  fathoms  when  it  will  do  to 
come  up  N.  E.  by  N.,  which  will  carry  you  clear  of  every 
thing  and  give  a  good  offering  at  six  or  eight  miles  to  shape 
your  course.  No  soundings  will  be  found  in  entering  from 
the  N.  E.  until  you  pass  the  shoal  or  reef  from  the  eastern 
rock,  but  you  run  for  the  centre  of  the  bottom  of  the  bay 
until  you  get  bottom  which  will  probably  be  five  fathoms ; 


in 


n 


{    24    ) 


^.-^Jf 


opposite  the  mouth  of  the  river,  the  water  shoals  gradually  to 
the  shore  unless  you  get  too  near  the  sand  shoal  from  the 
south  point,  already  mentioned ;  there  are  several  islands 
near  the  shore  above  Granite  Point,  and  one  considerable 
one  about  one  mile  due  west  from  the  north  extremity  of 
Granite  Point,  between  which  and  the  main,  of  easy  entrance 
on  either  side  of  the  island,  is  a  good  shelter  called  Talcott 
Harbour,  beyond  which,  from  Granite  Pointnthree  miles,  is 
what  is  now  known  as 

Presque  Isle. — This  is  covered  by  lease,  twenty-one  be- 
longing also  to  the  New-  York  and  Lake  Superior  Mining 
Company,  but  they  are  not  working  there.  About  seven 
miles  from  the  shore  of  Presque  Isle  east,  and  ten  miles  due 
north  from  the  northern  extremity  of  Granite  Point,  is 
Granite  Island:  a  pyramid  of  rocks  rising  about  one  hundred 
feet  with  a  few  trees  upon  its  east  end,  which  contains  about 
two  acres ;  the  water  is  deep  around  it,  and  though  danger- 
ous in  dark  nights  and  fogs,  may  be  seen  for  a  great  dis- 
tance ;  the  trees  upon  its  top  discovered  above  the  fog,  was 
the  first  evidence  of  land  we  saw  for  two  days,  having,  how- 
ever, discovered  our  whereabouts  that  morning,  to  be  Huron 
Island  by  the  echo  of  our  gun,  and  were  running  for  Granite 
Point  with  a  good  *  look-out.* — From  Presque  Isle  it  is  nine 
miles  to 

Garlic  River,  which  is  an  inconsiderable  stream.  The 
coast  is  of  red  sand  rocks  and  granite,  with  small  islands, 
and  from  Granite  Point  runs  N.  W.  for  fifteen  miles  from 
Presque  Isle  to 

St.  John's  River,  which  is  represented  by  Bayfield  as 
running  a  considerable  distance  into  the  country  ;  but  little 
is  known  of  it  except  that  it  is  rapid  in  its  approach  to  the 
Lake,  from  among  hills,  which  rise  from  six  hundred  to  nine 
hundred  feet  above  the  Lake.  From  St.  John  river,  the 
coast  is  irregular,  passing  north  r'xind  a  peninsular,  and 
round  a  considerable  bay  to  the  tJ^,v.th,  and  then  irregularly 
west :  fifteen  miles  thence  to 

Salmon  Trout  River,  an  inconsiderable  stream,  coming 
from  a  small  lake  in  the  first  range  of  hills,  which  here  come 
close  to  the  lake  with  a  height  of  300  feet.     Six  miles  is 

Burnt  Pine  River^  also  an  inconsiderable  stream.  Nine 
miles  farther  is 


(    ^5    ) 


ally  to 
om  the 
islands 
derable 
nily  of 
itrance 
Talcott 
liles,  is 

me  be- 
Vlining 
t  seven 
les  due 
>int,  is 
undred 
s about 
langer- 
sat  dis- 
»g,  was 
r,  how- 
Huron 
Grranite 
is  nine 

The 
slands, 
s  from 

ield  as 
Lit  little 
to  the 
to  nine 
er,  the 
ir,  and 
^ularly 

loming 
3  come 
I  is 
Nine 


Huron  River.  It  is  another  of  the  few  rivers  of  the  South 
shore  which  rise  beyond  the  first  range  of  hills.  It  is  a  con- 
siderable stream,  rising  in  the  second  range  of  mountains, 
and  running  more  than  100  miles  in  its  course  to  the  lake. 
Its  source  is  in  the  same  ridge  of  those  of  the  Ontonagon  and 
Minomenie,  the  first  falling  into  Lake  Superior  100  miles 
west  from  the  Huron,  and  the  latter  dischargmg  its  waters 
into  Green  Bay.  The  Huron  is  navigable  for  canoes  for  a 
considerable  distance,  and  is  said  by  the  voyageurs  and  ex- 
plorers to  pass  through  a  country  of  good  soil  and  timber, 
abounding  in  game,  and  which  is  part  of  the  northernmost 
hunting  grounds  of  the  Minomenies.  Some  mineral  locations 
have  been  made,  and  a  settlement  commenced  at  its  mouth. 
Two  miles  from  the  main  land,  N.  £.  from  the  mouth  of 
Huron  River,  are  tlie 

Huron  Islands,  on  the  south  side  of  which  is  a  good  har- 
bour, of  easy  access  from  the  west,  and  also  from  the  east, 
by  giving  the  east  point,  firom  which  rocks  and  shoals  put 
out,  a  good  wide  berth,  which  there  is  no  difficulty  in  doing. 
These  islands  are  high,  as  is  the  main  land  on  which  are 
those  hills  called  the 

Huron  Mountains,  These  are  the  highest  lands  of  this 
section,  being  400  to  800  feet.  From  Huron  River  the 
coast  falls  oft*  south-west,  then  south  for  twenty  miles,  form- 
ing a  deep  and  narrow  bay,  across  whose  mouth  from  Huron 
River  six  miles  is 

Point  Abbai/a,  which  is  the  west  shore  of  the  bay  just 
mentioned,  and  the  east  cape  of  Keweenaw  bay.  The  shore 
of  this  cape  runs  near  south-west  forty  miles  to  L^Anss, 
with  the  exception  of  a  peninsular  of  two  miles  in  length, 
about  half  way  down  the  bay,  by  some  called  the  Traverse, 
as  the  cape  east  is  usually  followed  to  this  place,  from  whence 
the  Keweenaw  bay  is  crossed,  making  from  Point  Abbaya 
twenty-one  miles  to 

Portage  River,  The  mouth  of  this  river  is  narrow  and 
sandy,  and  there  are  four  feet  water  at  its  entrance  of  Ke- 
weenaw Bay.     It  leads  into 

Portage  Lake,  running  N.W.  and  S.E.,  which  has  seve- 
ral small  streams  coming  into  it  from  Keweenaw  Point  on 
tlic  north,  and  others  from  the  main  land  on  the  south, 
tlirough  which,  twenty-one  miles,  and  across  a  portage  of  one 
3 


i 


1 


ffS        *T: 


(    26    ) 

mile,  is  reached  Lake  Superior,  at  a  point  sixty  miles  S.W. 
from  Copper  Harbour. 

This  is  the  usual  route  of  the  voyageurs  to  Fon  du  Lac. 
We  will  now  go  down  to  L'Anse,  and  from  thence  coast  up 
around  Keweenaw  Point,  till  we  come  to  the  Portage  again. 


•I 


CHAPTER    VI. 

At  the  bottom  L'Anse  Bay,  which  becomes  quite  narrow, 
enters  the  Keweenaw  River,  as  it  is  called,  '  imall  stream, 
near  the  mouth  of  which  is  a  Fur  Company's  station.  Five 
miles  from  the  entrance  of  this  stream,  on  the  east  side  of 
the  bay,  is  the  Methodist  mission,  under  the  charge  of  Mr. 
Brown.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the  bay  is  the  Catholic 
school,  under  the  charge  of  Mr.  Barrigaw,  late  of  Philadel- 
phia, who  has  erected  the  buildings  and  supports  the  estab- 
lishment from  his  private  fortune  ;  he  is  universally  repre- 
sented to  be  a  finished  scholar,  a  perfect  gentleman  and  true 
philanthropist,  whose  labours,  examples  and  teachings,  have 
gained  for  him  the  confidence  and  deepest  regard  of  the 
natives,  and  highest  esteem  of  all  so  fortunate  as  to  make  his 
acquaintance.  At  L'Anse  is  an  Indian  agency,  a  black- 
smith, and  a  farmer  to  instruct  the  Indians  in  agriculture. 
The  Indians  already  bring  the  finest  potatos  to  market  at 
Copper  Harbour,  eighty  miles  in  their  canoes.  From  here 
the  west  coast  of  the  bay  runs  due  north  to  Portage  River. 

The  country  north  of  this  river  and  lake  is  Keweenaw 
Point,  60  miles  N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  and  30  miles  across,  which 
has  been  constituted  Houghton  County.  Among  the  small 
streams  entering  Portage  Lake  from  the  main  land  on  the 
south,  are  the  Portage  and  Sturgeon,  and  others  from  the 
peninsula  on  the  north. 

Following  up  the  east  coast  of  Keweenaw  Point,  20  miles 
above  Portage  River,  are  found  two  small  islands ;  and  eight 
miles  further  on  the  shore,  a  peninsula  running  a  mile  or  two 
into  the  bay;  and  18  miles  further,  what  is  called  the  Cas- 
cades, a  bold  sand-stone  shore  four  hundred  feet  high,  ex- 
tending five  miles,  which  the  voyageurs  select  a  propitious 
time  for  passing  in  their  canoes,  as  Uiere  is  no  landing  in  a 


(     '^27     ) 


Lac. 
[St  up 
Igain. 


storm ;  however,  few  or  no  accider*"  have  ever  occurred,  for 
in  addition  to  caution  in  starting,  generally  every  nerve  is 
plied,  and  the  bark  canoe  ghdes  past  the  frowning  battle- 
ments in  half  or  three-fourths  of  an  hour. 

About  20  miles  south  from  Copper  Harbour,  round  by  the 
coast,  and  six  miles  across  the  point,  is  the  mouth  of  Little 
Montreal  River,  having  a  fall  of  40  feet  perpendicular,  and 
entering  a  very  good  harbor  from  north  and  westerly  weather, 
in  which  Copper  Harbour  cannot  be  entered  safely,  called 
Bay  Bris,  or  Rolling  Pin  Bay,  named  from  its  being  the 
shape  of  a  rolling  pin. 

Four  miles  further  is  a  bay  formed  by  a  small  point,  which 
affords  a  good  resort  and  shelter  from  sdl  winds  west  of  north. 
'  Manitou  Isiand,  (or  Great  Spirit  Island,)  is  about  eight 
miles  circumference,  three  miles  east  from  the  extremity  of 
Keweenaw  Point.  A  small  island  or  rock,  with  a  reef  run- 
ning south  for  half  a  mile,  is  on  its  west  end  next  the  point, 
just  east  of  which,  however,  near  the  Manitou,  is  a  tolerable 
shelter  from  a  northeaster.         ' 

The  Stanord  Rock, — This  is  a  granite  rock,  60  or  80 
feet  long,  ten  feet  wide,  and  four  feet  high  above  water.  A 
shoal  or  reef  puts  (^  to  the  N.  W.  for  80  rods,  but  on  the 
other  sides  the  water  is  deep.  This  rock  was  discovered  by 
Capt.  Charles  C.  Stanord,  at  4  p.  m.,  August  26,  1835, 
then  master  of  the  brig  John  Jacob  Astor ;  first  discovered 
at  a  mile  distant  dead  ahead."^  Its  position  is  29  miles  S. 
E.  half  £.  from  Manitou  Island.  . 

*  There  are  three  brothers  of  the  Stanords,  all  captains  upon  Lake 
Superior ;  Charles,  Benjamin,  and  John,  who  have  all  been  for  more 
than  ten  years  there,  and  aie  the  oldest  and  best  pilots,  careful  and 
good  seamen,  and  gentlemen.  John,  who  is  master  of  the  schooner 
Swallow,  has  come  to  be  called  the  "  pig  let  out  of  a  bag,"  from  the 
fact  that  after  running  for  days  together  in  the  dense  fogs  without  land 
or  bottom,  he  scarcely  ever  loses  his  "  reckoning ;"  and  if  he  does,  he 
fires  his  gun,  and  by  its  echo  he  knows  if  he  is  near  land — and  if  so, 
determines  by  its  vibrations  the  coast  he  is  upon,  and  thence  how  to 
shape  his  course.  So  too  with  the  brothers.  Long  years  of  experience 
in  feeling  their  way  with  the  gun,  enables  them  to  judge  of  the  land 
when  the  sound  rolls  alon^  it,  although  they  cannot  see  it,  with  an 
astonishing  certainty.  This  occurred  after  being  three  days  in  a  fog 
without  soundings  or  sight  of  land,  "  All  keep  quiet,"  said  Capt. 
John,  "  till  we  ascertain  if  land  is  near,  and  where  we  are ;  it  ought 
to  be  pretty  close — fire  !."  The  blaze  opened  the  thick  fog  before  the 
gun ;  the  sound  rolled  over  the  water  for  a  second,  then  a  crash  !  an- 


•4 


I 


(     28     ) 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Copper  Harbour, — Is  the  name  by  which  Fort  Wilkins 
is  now  known.  The  entrance  is  wide  and  easy  with  a  wind 
from  any  point  east  of  N.  or  S.,  but  may  be  entered  with 
care  with  almost  any  wind,  if  the  sea  is  not  running  too  high, 
the  entrance  being  wide  enough  to  beat  in  between  a  large 
rock  at  the  end  of  the  reef  which  runs  east  from  Porter*8 
Island,  and  the  point  of  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  entrance. 
The  course  is  S.,  until  within  30  or  40  rods  of  the  Astor 
Rockj  then  it  is  west  I  1-4  mile  to  the  anchorage  at  the 
head  of  the  bay,  where  there  is  safety  from  any  weather. 
The  difficulty  in  entering  in  a  heavy  se?.  from  the  north  or 
north-west,  is  in  hauling  up  or  coming  about  to  beat  up  the 
bay  to  this  anchorage ;  for  if  she  misses  staying,  or  gets  "  in 
irons,"  the  rocks  are  too  close,  and  the  holding  ground  is  not 
good  against  the  sea  that  in  a  gale  rolls  over  the  reef,  which 
was  the  cause  of  the  loss  of  the  brig  Astor,  which  dragged 
her  anchor  and  was  stove  to  pieces  upon  the  rocks,  where 
her  skeleton  now  lies,  just  <ri  front  of  the  entrance  of  the 
harbour.  The  harbour  extends  about  2  1-2  miles  east  and 
west,  and  3-4  of  a  mile  wide — a  parallelogram. 

**  About  80  rods  south  of  the  harbour,  and  15  feet  above 
it,  extending  east  and  west,  is  Lake  Fanny  Hoe,  one  and  a 
h^f  tnile  long,  and  60  to  80  rods  wide,  with  hills  300  feet 
high  falling  suddenly  to  its  south  margin ;  while  at  both  its 
east  and  west  end  several  ridges  meet.  Upon  the  highest 
pei^  of  this  mountain  the  first  rays  of  the  morning  sun  were 
brightening  the  yellow  tinge  of  the  foliage,  and  magnifying 
every  object  upon  the  summit;  the  base  threw  its  dark 
shadow  upon  the  lake,  that  mirrored  it  with  a  truthfulness 

other — another — then  the  sound  rumbled  along  to  the  eastward.  "  I 
thought  so — the  Huron  Islands— did  you  hear  it  rattle  among  the 
mountains,  and  then  roll  along  the  shore  to  the  north-east.  You  can't 
hear  it  this  way,  for  there  is  no  land,  the  bay  makes  away  to  the 
south — ready  about."  Then  the  short  explanation  was  interrupted  by 
a  voice,  "  All  ready  forward,"  and  **  hard  a-lee,"  brought  the  Swallow 
into  the  wind.  Her  sails  shook  for  a  moment,  when  she  fell  off,  and 
we  commenced  "  long  and  short  legs"  for  Granite  Point,  where  our 
iron  pilots  loud  hail  brought  forth  a  light  by  the  miners,  about  12 
o'clock  at  night,  which  enabled  us  to  "  beat  through"  between  the 
peninsula  ind  two  outer  rocks  into  the  south  bay,  under  Granite  Point. 


(    29    ) 


rind 
[with 

large 
ter*8 
ince. 
istor 


(( 


m 


which  brought  the  reflected  mountain  side  to  almost  cat  the 
understanding,  and  tempt  the  foot  upon  the  tre  Theroug 
shadow.  On  the  right  are  the  neat  white  building  of  Fort 
Wilkins ;  from  the  staff  the  soft  morning  breeze  spreads 
gracefully  the  *  Union,'  displaying  the  stars  and  stripes,  a 
guarantee  that  order  and  protection  are  established  in  this 
wilderness  of  lakes  and  mountains ;  and,  at  the  instant,  up, 
far  above  the  mountain's  top,  in  ascending  circles,  rose  an 
eagle,  *  patriarch  of  his  tribe,'  who  seemed 

*  Journeying  with  the  morning  sun. 
Our  northern  bonndary  line  to  run.* 

**  The  solemn  quiet  that  reigned  upon  the  elements  was 
deepened  by  contrast,  when  had  ceased  the  *  morning  drum- 
beat,* that  brought  forth  the  cleanly  equipped  soldier  and 
gaily  plumed  and  appointed  officers  en  parade  ;  and  there 
the  miners  landing  from  the  mountain  side,  from  their  sub- 
terranean toils  released,  saunter  with  leisure  steps  and  idle 
gaze  ;  all  which  proclaim  this  a  Sabbath  morn — observed  by 
rest,  as  it  only  may  be, 

'  Where  the  sound  of  the  church>going  bell 
These  valleys  and  rocks  never  heard.' " 

The  Garrison  is  under  the  command  of  Capt  Albertis. 
Mr.  C.  Brush  is  sutler,  having  a  store  at  which  may  be 
found  every  thing  necessary  to  comfort,  and,  I  might  add, 
luxury,  and  is  himself  a  gentleman  possessing  great  business 
qualifications,  whose  accommodating  disposition  and  fi*ank 
deportment  insure  for  him  the  confidence  and  good  will  of 
all  who  meet  him ; — ^to  the  hospitality  of  himself,  and  Gapts. 
Clary  and  Albertis,  have  hundreds  been  indebted  during  the 
past  season,  for  accommodations,  while  others  took  lodgings 
at  the  **  Astor,"  owned  by  Mr.  Ghilds,  and  managed  by 
Francois^  a  cosmopolite,  and  speaking  all  languages,  who 
was  cook,  waiter,  porter,  chambermaid  and  clerk.  The 
*'  Astor  "  may  be  supposed  to  be  a  burlesque,  but  it  is  not 
so ;  and,  although  not  a  huge  pile  of  granite  like  the  Astor 
of  New- York,  yet  it  stands  on  one,  and  its  name  is  quite  as 
legitimate ;  and  though  a  pine-log  structure,  one  and  a  half 
stories  high,  twenty-four  feet  long  by  sixteen  wide — ^the 
lower  part  of  which  is  a  store-house — Shaving  an  addition 


>il 


■^1 


I 

I] 


it 


^1 


» 


(     30     ) 

that  serves  as  a  dining-room  and  kitchen,  with  a  long  table 
made  by  two  boards  laid  upon  horses ; — each  guest  having 
a  given  space  upon  the  main  chamber  floor  to  spread  his 
mat  and  buffalo  skin.  This  ♦»  room  "  is  his,  and  his  *'  loca- 
tion" as  safe  as  if  it  had  four  walls,  and  p.  door  to 
enter  by  a  key  "  lefl  at  the  office  when  absent ;"  which 
accommodations  farther  excel  all  competition^  than  do 
those  of  its  granite  namesake  fronting  on  the  Park.  Its 
name  is  not  a  burlesque ;  it  stands  upon  a  point  cf  rock 
not  fifly  feet  from  the  wreck  of  the  John  Jacob  Astor,  and 
by  way  of  designation  was  first  called  the  "  House  by  the 
Astor,  or  by  Astor  Point ;"  and  that  name,  which  was  there 
fixed  by  a  misfortune,  will  remain  while  that  landmark  for 
entering  the  harbor  endures ;  and  it  will  be  known  as  Astor 
Point  long  after  that  mighty  house  "  made  by  hands  "  in 
pride  to  perpetuate  a  name,  shall,  with  its  founder,  have 
passed  into  other  keeping,  and  under  other  governors — when 
death  shall  have  removed  him,  and  new  owners  in  their  pride 
remove  his  name,  that  "the  places  which  knew  it,  sheill 
know  it  no  more  for  ever ;" — then,  and  long  after  then,  will 
the  wave-tossed  mariner  steer  his  bark  for  *»  Astor  Point," 
without  knowing  or  caring  of  him  whose  name  it  per- 
petuates, so  as  it  is  a  "landmark"  that  guides  him  to  a 
refuge  from  the  storm ; — there,  too,  will  the  merchant  stand 
to  watch  the  safe  entrance  of  his  cargo,  and  congratulate 
himself  upon  the  amount  of  profits,  as  once  did  his  great 
predecessor  in  the  trade  of  other  climes, — whose  name  he 
knows  only  from  the  locality  himself  is  fixed  on,  and  whose 
history  and  exploits  in  trade  will,  having  passed  from  tradition, 
be  found  only  in  the  specimens  of  ancient  history  preserved 
by  the  antiquarian.  Thus  is  it  with  all,— even  Bonaparte's 
will,  as  he  said  it  would,  "  be  lost  in  the  vortex  of  revolu- 
tions ;"  yet,  its  longest  endurance  will  be  with  the  mariner, 
in  his  anxious  "  look  out "  for  St.  Helena. 

The  Garrison  at  Copper  Harbour  is  about  one  mile  east 
from  where  the  town  and  business  must  be,  at  the  west  side 
of  the  harbour,  which  was  a  very  judicious  selection  in  Capt. 
Clary,  who  superintended  the  building  of  the  Garrison,*to 
have  them  apart.  » 

The  Pittsburgh  Company's  Location,  No.  4,  covers  Cop- 
per Harbour,  extending  some  sixty  rods  west  of  the  harbour. 


(    31     ) 


whose  operations  1  shall  describe  among  the  Companies  at 
work,  as  I  am  now  endeavouring  to  give  the  reader  a  view 
of  the  coast. 

About  one  mile  S.  W.  from  the  west  end  of  Lake  Fanny 
Hoe,  is  a  lake  one  mile  in  circumference,  known  as  Man- 
ganese Lake,  which  empties  into  the  first  lake  with  a  descent 
of  seventy-five  feet.  This  lake,  at  its  outlet,  has  made 
a  chasm  which  has  opened  a  vein  of  White  Spar  four  feet 
thick,  below  which  is  a  vein  of  Manganese  eighteen  inches 
thick,  and  below  that  is  another  vein  of  the  same  Spar  one 
foot  thick ;  high  hills  fall  abruptly  to  the  margin  of  this 
lake,  which  is  surrounded  by  a  handsome  sandy  and  pebbly 
beach ; — the  waters  are  transparent  and  very  deep,  and  a 
sufficient  quantity  of  it  is  discharged  for  manufacturing 
purposes. 

Porter's  Island  is  formed  by  a  small,  shallow  opening,  in 
the  west  end  uf  the  peninsula,  which  forms  the  western  part 
of  Copper  Harbour.  On  this  island  the  Mineral  Agency 
was  maintained  for  most  of  the  season ;  bnt  so  great  was 
the  inconvenience,  that  it  was  removed  to  the  Garrison, 
where  the  office  is  kept  open  during  this  winter  by  Col. 
McNair. 

At  the  Garrison,  also,  the  Commissioners,  Messrs.  Todd, 
of  Ohio,  and  Mr.  Bartlett,  of  New-York,  held  their  Court 
of  Enquiry  into  alleged  malfeasance  of  certain  officers  of 
the  Agency,  in  being  interested  in  locations,  which  is  strictly 
prohibited ;  and,  collaterally,  questions  between  claimants  of 
disputed  locations.  It  would  be  indelicate  to  give  an  opinion 
as  to  their  report  upon  any  of  the  points  or  matters, — which 
report  will  require,  too,  testimony  intended  or  expected  to 
be  taken  this  winter  in  Washington,  and  probably  will  not 
transpire  for  a  year  or  eighteen  morjths  ;  but  I  may  say  that 
Mr.  Bartlett's  candour,  frankness,  and  good  judgment,  in- 
spired confidence,  and  Mr.  Todd's  scaching  inquiries,  while 
his  broad,  good  natured  manner,  left  witnesses  at  their  ease, 
went  fat  tu  elicit  facts,  and  convinced  all  that  the  commission 
was  in  good  hands.  Their  report,  dealing  as  it  must  with 
delicate  matters  of  individual  character  and  interest,  pro- 
posing, as  it  probably  will,  reforms  and  changes  in  the  laws, 
modes,  and  practices,  in  relation  to  the  mineral  lands,  and 
their  future  disposition  by  Congress,  will,  I  have  no  doubt, 


(    32     ) 

from  a  long  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Todd,  fully  sustain  his 
reputation,  not  only  as  a  lawyer,  but  as  a  statesman  of  ex- 
panded views,  and  prove  him  a  worthy  son  of  one  of  the 
ablest  judges  ever  upon  the  bench  of  Ohio. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

Agate  Harbour. — Passing  by  a  rocky  coast,  composed  of 
trap  and  conglomerate,  against  which  the  surf  dashes,  for 
several  miles,  is  Agate  Harbour.     Its  general  features  and 
shape  are  very  similar  to  Copper  Harbour.     Its  entrance  is 
the  same  between  large  rocks  some  sixty  rods  apart,  with 
deep  water  between  them,  and  shoals  just  inside.     There  is 
this  difference,  that  on  entering  Agate  Harbour  you  haul  up 
square  to  the  east  to  enter  the  first  harbuor,  which  is  formed 
by  a  narrow  point  of  land  running  east  and  west  in  the  cen- 
tre of  tlie  east  end  of  the  bay-=-the  first  is  the  north  harbour. 
To  enter  the  south  harbour,  on  the  other  side  of  the  point, 
you  must  keep  on  tlie  course  at  entering,  till  within  thirty 
rods  of  the  main  shore,  clearing  thereby  a  reef  that  puts  off 
from  the  point  or  middle  land,  and  then  haul  up  east,  as  to 
enter  the  north  or  outer  harbour.     Either  of  these  are  as 
good  harbours  as  can  be  wished,  with  clay  bottom  at  five 
fathoms ;  there  is  less  danger  in  entering  Agate  Harbour  in 
a  gale  than  Copper  Harbour,  because  you  can  run  into  the 
north  harbour  sufficiently  far  to  be  safe  from  the  sea,  under 
the  land,  but  which  would  not  be  the  case  if  compelled  to 
seek  anchorage  at  the  west  end,  as  at  Copper  Harbour. 
This  harbour  is  about  three  miles  long  and  half  a  mile  at  its 
widest  place.     Its  name  is  derived  from  the  Agates  found 
there  by  early  visitors,  and  which  are  yet  found  in  great 
quantities.     Its  shores  are  formed  of  trap  and  conglomerate 
rock,  like  the  main  shore.     Its  entrance  is  marked  by  two 
large  rocks  which  rise  several  feet  above  tiie  water,  west  of 
which  extends  a  rei'^  with  small  islands  appcsiring,  to  the  west 
end  of  the  bay.     High  hills  rise  from  the  bay  which  are  a 
continuation  of  those  of  Copper  Harbour. 
About  one  mile  back  from  the  bay  is  a  beautiful  little 


(    33    ) 


|in  his 

)f  ex- 
)f  the 


Lake  holding  the  same  relation  to  Agate  Harbour  that  the 
Manganese  Lake  does  to  Copper  Harbour,  but  which  emp- 
ties  its  waters  into  the  bay  instead  of  another  lake — ^the  same 
scenery,  sandy  beach,  and  the  water  power,  but  not  the  spar 
and  manganese  veins  at  the  former.  This  lake  is  called 
"  Shoon-e-aw  "  or  Silver  Lake,  but  has  never  been  thoroughly 
explored  for  mineral  or  visited  by  many  persons  because 
covered  by  lease  No.  18  belonging  to  the  New- York  and 
Lake  Superior  Mining  Company,  who  are  working  on  the 
east  end  of  the  peninsula  of  the  Harbour,  where  there  are 
as  many  veins  as  they  are  prepared  at  present  to  work,  of 
which  I  shall  speak  when  treating  of  the  **  Companies  at 
work." 

Upon  the  reefs  in  the  west  part  of  the  bay,  the  Trout  and 
White  Fish  are  easily  taken  in  great  abundance  with  the 
spear  and  gil-net,  whicii  is  also  the  case  at  Copper  Harbour. 

Grand  Marias — Continuing  along  a  rocky  coast  as  be- 
tween Copper  and  Agute  Harbours,  though  more  broken, 
five  miles,  (but  the  longest  five  miles  I  ever  travelled,)  is 
the  western  Grand  Marias.  This  is  a  large  indentation  in 
the  land  of  about  three  miles  in  circumference, — ^the  entrance 
is  between  rocks  and  too  slioal  for  vessels,  though  an  excel- 
lent boat  harbour.  The  western  point  or  side  of  the  Marias 
is  a  level  peninsula  formed  by  the  make  of  Grand  Marias 
on  the  east  and  Eagle  Harbour  on  the  west.  The  bay  is 
shoal  and  the  bottom  sandy — high  wild  grass  and  rushes 
grow  ozi  its  margin  covering  many  acres.  The  peninsula 
is  level  twenty  feet  high  and  may  be  tilled ;  the  soil  is  a  sandy 
loam.  This  is  the  location  of  the  North-western  Company, 
which  is  described  among  those  *'  Companies  waking.** 


Vl 


CHAPTER    IX. 


Eagle  Harbour,  About  three  miles  coasting,  similar  to 
that  passed  from  Copper  Harbour,  brings  the  voyaeer  to 
Eagle  Harbour.  This  is  a  large  bay,  some  four  miles  in 
circumference.  Its  entrance  is  on  the  west  side  of  a  large 
rock  that  appears  above  the  water  about  forty  rods  flrom  the 
east  cape  of  the  harbour.    There  is  a  reef  of  sunken  rocks 


(    34    ) 


square  off  the  mouth  of  the  bay,  but  the  harbour  may  be 
entered  from  the  north-west  or  north-east,  between  the  reef 
and  the  capes.  The  west  shore  of  the  bay  must  be  followed, 
however,  and  at  a  distance  of  twelve  to  thirty  rods  from  it  is 
ten  to  twelve  fathoms  water  entirely  round  it.  Good  anchor- 
age is  also  found  on  the  east  side  of  the  bay,  just  south  the 
little  island,  which  makes  a  good  shelter  from  north  and 
easterly  weather. 

This  is  the  location  of  the  Eagle  Harbour  Mining  Com- 
pany, on  Lease  No.  3,  which  will  also  be  found  among  the 
**  working  companies."  From  this  place  a  good  waggon- 
road  is  made,  south-west  to  Lease  No.  6,  the  location  of  th%r 
Copper  Falls  Company,  also  a  "  working  company."  Tho 
soil  in  the  vicinity  of  Eagle  Harbour  is  a  sandy  loam,  capaVfle 
of  cultivation.  West  of  the  harbour,  for  several  miles,  are 
sand  hills  covered  with  pines,  and  towards  the  lake  a  good 
deal  of  low  lands  and  swamps  that  empty  into  Cat  Harbour, 
an  inlet  between  Eagle  Harbour  and  Sand  Bay.  There  are 
two  or  three  small  lakes  back  of  Eagle  Harbour,  like  those 
of  Copper  and  Agate  harbours,  which  empty  into  Eagle 
Harbour,  affording  about  one  mile  back  a  good  water- 
power. 

I  was  at  Eagle  Harbour  on  the  night  of  the  death  of 
Dr.  Houghton,  where  I  had  an  appointment  to  meet  him, 
the  very  evening  of  the  disaster,  October  13tb.  I  had  walk- 
ed from  Agate  Harbour  to  Eagle  Harbour,  and  arrived  in 
the  afternoon  of  as  pleasant  and  beautiful  a  day  as  could  be 
desired.  At  sun-down  the  wind  blew  gently  from  the  land, 
the  sun  went  shiningly  down,  the  sky  was  clear,  and  every 
appearance  was  in  favour  of  a  calm  night.  Half  an  hour 
after  dark,  a  storm  of  wind,  hail,  rain  and  snow,  came  from 
the  north-east  with  a  suddenness  and  fury  I  have  rarely  seen 
upon  the  western  lakes,  fickle  as  their  weather  is.  Com- 
fbrtably  seated  by  Mr.  Sprugue*s  fire,  in  a  bark  covered 
building,  twelve  feet  square,  I  little  thouglit  of  the  calamity 
then  befalUng  the  country  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Houghton,  a 
few  miles  west,  whose  loss  may  be  estimated  by  those  unac- 

auainted  with  his  character  and  services,  when  they  know 
lat  General  Cass  said,  on  learning  his  death,  that  **  Michi- 
gan had  better  owe  ten  millions."    This  was  not  said  of  a 


(    35    ) 


Warrior  or  a  statesman,  biit  a  quiet  man  of  science  and  pef' 
severance. 

Ignorant,  however,  of  the  sad  scene  transpiring  west, 
another,  almost  us  fatal  to  life,  was  passing  just  east,  which 
soon  came  to  our  knowledge.  Our  pipes  had  been  exhaust- 
ed and  replenished  ;  many  sage  systems  of  philosophy  had 
been  discussed ;  trap  and  conglomerate,  copper,  oxydes  and 
sulphates  had  been  descanted  on ;  the  storm  continued  to 
howl,  and  the  snow  stole  its  Way  with  the  wind  in  through 
the  bark  roof  and  chinkings,  only  to  be  instantaneously 
changed  to  a  mist  by  the  warmth  of  a  well  filled  stove. 
Thus  comfortable  ourselves,  knowing  nought  of  any  not  so, 
we  were  just  going  to  rest,  when  the  door  opened,  and  a 
man  entered,  drenched  to  the  skin.  I  instantly  recognised 
Mr.  Ketchum,  of  New-Y6rk,  whom  I  had  arranged  to 
accompany  me  to  the  OntonOgon  in  my  canoe,  but  who 
rather  doubting  my  capacity  to  navigate  my  bark,  declined 
the  journey,  and  I  put  off  with  a  fair  wind,  having  a  gentle- 
man going  as  far  as  Agate  Harbour.  Mr.  Ketchum  was 
Soon  followed  by  his  voyageur,  a  large  and  powerful  Indian 
from  L*Anse,  named  Pickett,  and  brother  to  one  of  the 
men  lost  with  Dr.  HoUghton. 

It  seems  that  after  1  left  Copper  Harbour,  Mr.  Ketchum 
engaged  Pickett  (\Vho  had  brought  potatos  from  L*Anse 
to  sell,)  to  take  him  to  the  Ontnnogon.  They  had  left  Cop- 
per Harbour  that  day,  Pickett  having  his  son,  a  lad  of  six- 
teen years,  to  assist  him.  They  hnd  left  in  company  with 
Mr.  Baily,  and  stopped  at  his  place  at  the  Grand  Marias, 
and  taken  supper,  then  put  out  from  the  Marias  with  sail 
set,  intending  to  proceed  all  nigilt— ^Pickett  at  the  oars  and 
his  boy  steering.  Thus  they  had  passed  the  west  point  of 
the  Marias,  and  were  going  along  well,  when  the  storm 
struck  them  from  the  north-cast,  as  it  did  Houghton.  Pickett 
now  took  in  the  sail  with  all  despatch,  and  changed  places 
with  his  son,  giving  him  the  oars,  and  taking  the  direction 
of  the  canoe  himself.  Mr.  Ketchum  sat  in  the  bottom  of 
the  canoe.  The  storm  increased  every  moment,  and  each 
wave  came  higher  and  more  angry  than  its  predecessor. 
The  boy  pulled,  and  Pickett  put  forth  his  herculean  strength 
^•and  it  was  necessary.    The  snow  and  sleet  came  with 


I 


M 


i ' 


n 


(    36    ) 

the  wind — the  waves  rose  high  and  dashed  and  roared  upon 
the  rocks  but  a  short  distance  to  leeward. 

Precisely  so  was  it  at  that  moment,  twelve  miles  west  with 
Houghton's  boat.  At  every  wave  Pickett  cheered  his  son  to 
pull,  assuring  him  there  was  no  danger,  and  thereby  induc- 
ing an  exercise  of  all  his  energies ;  at  the  same  time  him- 
self watching  each  coming  wave,  and  crossing  them  with  a 
precision  and  coolness  which  alone  could  have  saved  them, 
as  they  did.  Mr.  K.  said  that  he  spoke  but  once,  and  then 
asked  Pickett  if  he  could  make  Eagle  Harbour.  The  Indian 
replied,  "  Oui,  Monsieur," — in  the  same  breath  shouted  to 
his  boy  in  Indian,  and  on  the  instant  the  bark  canoe  rose 
high  upon  a  wave,  then  sunk  into  the  trough,  to  rise  still  higher 
at  the  next ;  but  father  and  son  thus  strove  against  the  ele- 
ments for  an  hour.  At  length  a  change — the  seas  were  not 
so  high — they  were  inside  the  reef  at  the  mouth  of  Eagle 
Harbour.  The  Indian  knew  his  course  now  despite  the  dark- 
ness, which  was  intense,  and  heightened  by  the  snow.  A 
few  moments,  and  the  angry  waves  were  only  heard  expend- 
ing themselves  upon  the  rocky  coast  astern.  The  water  was 
smooth — another  moment,  and  the  light  of  a  window  was  a 
strong  contrast  in  their  situations,  to  be  produced  in  a  few 
moments.  Then,  a  few  rods  nearer  the  rocks,  and  nothing 
could  save  them.  Every  pull  at  the  oars  and  paddle  were 
for  life.  Now  they  were  safe,  with  shelter  and  comfort  at 
hand.  So  sudden  was  the  gale  in  its  approach,  and  so  pow- 
erful in  its  advent,  that  the  Indian  had  no  time  to  put  on  his 
coat,  ^nd  when  he  had  brought  in  and  secured  Mr.  K*s.  bag- 
gage, he  pitched  their  tent,  and  him  and  his  boy  lay  down 
and  slept  without  fire.  In  the  morning  they  appeared  as 
usual ;  Pickett  had  consumed  a  jug  of  brandy  that  was 
among  the  stores,  a  drink  from  which,  and  a  good  supper  be- 
fore leaving  the  Marias,  may  have  contributed  in  no  small  de- 
gree to  *'  keep  his  courage  up"  in  the  gale,  and  as  that  jug 
of  brandy  was  sent  by  a  friend  unknown  to  Mr.  K.,  but  fell 
into  Pickett's  hands,  who  secreted  it,  it  mny  have  been  a  prov- 
idential thing. 

Copper  Falls, — A  good  waggon  road,  is  now  made  three 
miles  into  the  interior,  south  from  Eagle  Harbour  to  Copper 
Falls,  upon  Lease  No.  8,  which  belongs  to  the  "  Copper 
Falls  Company,"  and  which  is  described  among  the  work- 


(    37    ) 


upon 


ing  companies.  From  this  place  this  road  is  continued  near 
two  miles  to  N.  Y.  Lease  Co.  No.  31,  and  a  trail  is  marked 
over  trap  and  sand  hiils»  through  thickets  and  beaver  mea- 
dows, passing  by  some  half  dozen  beautiful  little  lakes,  to 
Sand  Bay,  and  then  the  beach,  skirted  by  sand  hills,  is  fol- 
lowed, in  all  nine  miles  to 


CHAPTER    X. 

Eagle  River, — The  snow  hnd  fallen  six  inches  the  pre- 
vious night,  which  made  the  walk  to  Eagle  River  tedious,  on 
arriving  where,  I  first  learned  the  death  of  Dr.  Houghton 
the  previous  night.  Eagle  River,  like  many  other  streams 
of  this  country,  is  wonderfully  magnified  by  the  title  of  river* 
This  stream  is  about  three  rods  wide,  falling  to  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  lake,  affording  ia  its  mouth  a  safe  place  for 
small  boats.  A  pier  may  be  erected  which  will  allow  ves- 
sels to  load  and  unload  their  cargoes,  for  stone  is  handy 
and  plenty.  The  place  is  covered  by  Lease  No.  2,  which 
belongs  to  the  "  Lake  Superior  Mining  Company,"  better 
known  as  the  famous  Boston  Company,  which  will  be  found 
at  the  head  of  the  list  of  "  Working  Companies." 

From  this  place  a  waggon-road  is  also  made  three  and  a 
half  miles  to  LcRse  No.  7,  (and  is  being  continued  to  Lease 
No.  10,  by  the  Albion  Company,  who  are  erecting  buildings,) 
which  belongs  to  the  Pittsburg  Company,  spoken  of  as  the 
lessees  of  Copper  Harbour,  whose  works  at  this  place  are 
noted  with  their  others. 

Having  kept  the  road  which  runs  near  the  Eagle  River, 
ascending  with  it  into  the  interior,  and  by  which  I  had 
already  cot  300  feet  above  Lake  Superior,  I  here  left  the 
valley  of  the  Eagle  River,  passing  the  drifts  into  the  side 
hill,  and  climbed  some  300  feet,  to  where  they  hud  first  com- 
menced work  by  sinking  a  shaft,  which  was  abandoned,  and 
the  drifts  below  commenced.  - 

From  this  already  high  eminence,  I  proceeded  west, 
ascending  by  irregular  knobs  and  beaches  of  trap  rock,  for, 
I  suppose,  one-half  to  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  ti  south 
course,  when  I  arrived  suddenly  on  the  top  of  a  naked  rock. 


I 

II 


'-  m 


u 


I 


^.  (    38    ) 

about  twenty  feet  square,  which  raised  itself  above  evety 
thing  else  within  the  scope  of  the  eye ;  to  the  north  and 
^  west  was  Lake  Superior,  "  a  dark  blue  desert,  waste  of 
waters  ;" — to  the  east  was  Keweenaw  Bay,  twenty  miles  dis- 
tant, and  away  to  the  S.  £.  the  Huron  Mountains,  sixty  miles 
or  more.  The  portage  lake  and  the  valleys  were  spread  out 
like  a  map  before  me ; — at  my  feet  was  the  edge  of  a 
perpendicular  precipice  of  800  feet ;  around  its  base  swept 
off  to  west  the  valley  of  Eagle  River,  in  which  were  marked 
alternate  Copse  and  Beaver  Meadows.  The  spot  where  I 
stood  was  a  bare  flat  rock,  the  highest  peak  of  the  Kewee- 
naw Point,  upon  Lease,  No.  10,  belonging  to  the  Albion 
Mining  Company.  I  had  heard  this  view  glowingly  de- 
scribed^ but  my  imagination  had  formed  no  conception  of 
it«  grandeur.  I  have  stood  upon  the  hills  of  Vermont  and 
New  Hampshire,  and  upon  the  peak  of  Laurel  Mountain, 
the  highest  of  the  Alleganies — I  have  stood  by  Niagara  in 
youthful  wonder,  and  in  manhood*s  realization :  but  the  wa- 
ter, over  whose  expanse  the  eye  flits  like  the  lost  bird,  find- 
ing nought  to  rest  on^  was  wanting  there  to  add  immensity 
of  space  to  the  scene^  as  at  the  Albion  Rock ;  nor  was  there, 
as  here,  the  awful  precipice,  with  its  tempting  depth,  that 
Nature's  instincts  teach  her  creatures  they  must  shun.  I 
have  seen  sights,  but  never  one  before  so  unconfined  by  hill 
or  plane,  or  close  horizon,  where  the  spirit  seemed  set  free 
to  range  at  will.     A  scene  only  to  be  felt. 

Passing  a  little  west  from  here,  I  began  to  descend  into  a 
gulley  in  this  mountain  ridge,  by  which  I  reached  by  some 
steep  and  dangerous  descents,  the  valley  below.  In  the 
valley  I  found  the  thickets  to  be  cedar,  and  on  the  slopes, 
maples,  oak,  ash,  and  saw  one  bass-wood,  which  was  twenty 
inches  through.  In  passing  down  the  valley  in  front  of  the 
precipice,  I  could  trace  veins  of  spar,  running  both  perpen- 
dicular and  horizontal  upon  its  face,  at  diflerent  altitudes, 
one  of  which  I  should  judge  300  feet  high.  I  saw  when 
on  the  ridge,  though  below  the  peak,  where  a  blast  had  been 
made,  and  the  rock  corresponded  with  that  at  the  drifts  of 
the  Pittsburgh  Company  in  the  same  ridge,  a  mile  or  so 
from  it. 

From  Eagle  River,  for  a  few  miles  west,  the  coast  continues 
of  the  sauit  rocky  character  which  has  marked  it  from  Copper 


e  every 
rth  and 
aste  of 
liles  dis- 
ty  miles 
ead  out 
e   of  a 
e  swept 
marked 
tvhere  I 
Kewee- 
Albion 
gly  de- 
tion  of 
)nt  and 
•untain, 
gara  in 
the  wa- 
d,  find- 
nensity 
3  there, 
tb,  that 
un.     I 
by  hill 
set  free 

into  a 
Y  some 
[n  the 
slopes, 
twenty 

of  the 
crpen- 
itiides, 

when 
di  been 
•ifts  of 

or  so 

itinues 
;opper 


(     39     ) 

Harbour ;  in  fact,  tor  several  miles  round  and  below  Ke^ee- 
naw  Point.  One  and  a  half  miles  west  from  here,  is  where  Dr. 
Houghton,  the  State  Geologist  of  Michigan,  also  engaged  in 
running  out  the  mineral  lands  of  this  region  into  sections  and 
townships,  and  for  the  United  States  Government,  in  sur- 
veying mineral  Leases,  was  drowned.  I  have  before  alluded 
to  the  loss  the  State  of  Michigan  sustains  in  his  death,  and 
his  loss  to  the  world  cannot  be  better  described,  than  id  the 
apt  and  truthful  phrase  and  association,  in  which  the  follow- 
ing extract,  from  the  first  published  account,  places  it. 

[From  the  letter  of  E.  H.  Thompson,  Esq.,  to  Lucius  Lyon,  Surveyor 

General  of  Michigan.] 
"  Our  country,  nay,  the  world  of  science  was  looking 
with  more  than  Argus  eyes  for  his  final  report  of  the  Ge- 
ology of  the  Northern  Peninsula.  Michigan  beheld  his 
scientific  talent  and  moral  worth  with  pride  and  admiration ; 
but  alas,  lie  has  tracked  the  steps  of  glory  to  a  watery 
grave ! 

"  The  transcendent  genius  of  Cuvier  expired  in  revealing 
the  colossal  and  unknown  forms  belonging  to  the  remote 
ages  of  past  antiquity.  Champoloian  died  beneath  an  Afri- 
can sun,  decyphering  the  hieroglyphics  of  Egypt !  Davy 
fell  in  the  midst  of  enlarging  the  boundaries  to  human 
knowledge  of  natural  science ;  and  Houghton^  like  them, 
has  fallen  a  martyr." 

Gratiot  River,  six  miles  west  of  Eagle,  is  a  larger  stream 
than  Eagle  River,  though  running  but  a  few  miles  interior. 

From  Gratiot  River  the  coast  continues  about  S.  W.  16 
miles  to  the  portage,  with  sandy  beaches,  and  for  ten  miles 
above  the  portage  are  high  sandy  cliffs,  continuing  to  that 
point,  from  whence  we  went  back  to  L*Anse,  the  reader 
will  recollect  to  follow  the  coast  of  Keweenaw  Point,  and 
having  done  so,  we  now  proceed  upon  our  journey  from  the 
portage — nine  miles  to 

Little  Salmon  Trout  River,  which  is  an  inconsiderable 
stream,  dignified  with  river.  Its  soil  is  sandy  alluvium.  Six 
miles  fiirther  is 

Cfrave  Rods  River.  Similar  in  size  to  the  last,  but  with 
a  rocky  instead  of  the  usual  sandy  mouth  of  these  streams. 
From  this  the  shore  runs  south,  forming  Garver*s  Bay,  in  the 
bottom  of  which,  at  12  miles,  passing  by 


W 


v^^ 

mh 


;l 


(     40    ) 

Elm  River,  several  small  nameless  ones  intervening  be- 
tween Little  Salmon  Trout  and 

Mining  River,  which,  though  larger,  and  running  farther 
into  the  country,  is  of  the  same  class  of  small  streams  whose 
mouths  fill  up  with  sand.  Several  of  these  smaller  streams 
are  passed,  and  a  conglomerate  shore  bearing  pine,  hemlock, 
and  spruce,  for  15  miles,  to 

Flint  Steel  River,  whose  mouth  is  also  closed  with  a  sand 
bar,  from  which,  the  same  character  of  shore,  country,  and 
timber,  continues  six  miles  to 


CHAPTER   XI. 

Ontonagon  River.  This  is  one  of  the  most  important  of 
the  rivers,  and  discharges  its  waterg  into  Lake  Superior  55 
miles  east  of  the  Montreal  River,  and  about  90  from  Copper 
Harbour.  Its  sources  are  in  the  south-east  spurs  of  the  Por- 
cupine Mountains,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sources  of  the  Chip- 
pewa of  the  Mississippi.  A  great  number  of  small  tributaries 
of  this  river  are  oudets  of  small  lakes,  but  its  principal  source 
is  Windy  Lake,  a  lake  five  miles  from  "  Lake  Veux  Desert,'** 
or  Lake  of  the  Old  Gardens,  which  is  the  summit  lake  be- 
tween Lake  Superior  and  Green  Bay.  This  Windy  Lake 
is  five  miles  north  of  **  Veux  Desert,"  and  also  the  source 
of  the  Menominee,  which  falls  into  Green  Bay.  The  On- 
tonagon is  77  miles  long.  From  the  junction  of  the  two 
branches  to  within  nine  miles  of  the  mouth,  it  is  rapid  and 
shoal,  but  below  there  it  is  still,  with  a  good  depth  of  water. 
It  has  been  said  there  was  30  or  40  mUes  canoe  navigation 
above  the  branches.  There  is  usually  ten  feet  water  on  the 
bar ;  an  island  in  the  mouth,  and  the  channel  goes  straight 
out  on  the  west  side  of  it.  The  banks  are  ten  to  fifteen 
feet  high,  a  good  soil,  with  timber  of  sugar  maple,  oak,  pine, 
and  birch,  dec.  Mr.  James  Paul,  an  old  explorer  and  miner, 
has  made  successful  experiments  on  this  river  in  farming, 
producing  wheat,  corn,  potatoes,  and  turnips,  &>c.  There 
was  formerly  a  fur  company*s  agency  here,  and  a  settlement 
of  Indians.  The  famous  copper  rock  now  at  Washington 
was  taken  from  its  place  of  discovery  35  miles  up  this  river, 


(    41     ) 

near  which,  many  years  since,  an  English  mining  company, 
impelled  by  the  finding  this  boulder  no  doubt,  sank  a  shaft 
40  feet  through  clay,  when  they  reached  the  red  sand- stone 
rock,  showing  how  little  they  understood  the  nature  and 
geology  of  this  region ;  for  experience  and  observation  has 
proved  that  though  the  metaliferous  veins  sometimes  pass 
across  the  red  sand  rock,  they  have  never  been  discovered  to 
contain  other  ores  than  zinc  and  iron. 

The  word  Ontonagon  is  said  by  an  intelligent  gentleman, 
Mr.  Groveret  of  Mackinaw,  several  years  United  States  inter- 
preter, to  mean  **  my  bowl."  That  an  Indian  girl  went  to 
the  lake  with  a  wooden  bowl  for  some  purpose,  and  placing 
it  upon  the  water,  while  her  attention  was  drawn  off,  the  bowl 
had  floated  beyond  her  reach,  and  to  attract  attention  screamed 
Onto-na-gon,  Onto-na-gon, — my  bowl,  my  bowl,  and  hence 
the  name. 

There  is  a  tradition  among  the  Indians  and  voyageurs,  that 
over  the  ridge  of  mountains,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  "  Old  Gar- 
dens," is  an  immense  rock  ofiiative  copper,  far  excelling  any 
thing  which  has  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the  whites.  It  is 
represented  as  large  as  "  a  house,"  and  much  time  and  labour 
have  been  expended  to  find  it.  Guides  professing  to  know 
its  location  have  been  employed  at  large  wages,  who  could 
only  go  almost  to  it,  as  was  the  case  with  a  certain  gentle- 
man*s  guide,  who,  after  leading  him  about  for  weeks, — and 
when  the  Major  had  really  started  to  return,  declared  the 
rock  was  only  half  a  day  further,  with  a  pertinacity  which 
would  have  moved  some  men  to  fi)llow  him,  but  the  Major 
returned  without  finding  it.  It  is  my  opinion  that  this  won- 
derful rock  will  prove  very  like  Kid's  money,  (always  except- 
ing the  sunken  ship,)  the  nearer  you  get  to  it  the  further  it  is 
from  you.     The  coast  runs  west,  and  ten  miles  brings  you  to 

Chreat  Iron  River.  This  is  the  next  longest  river  to  the 
Ontonagan  and  Montreal,  they  being  the  principal  rivers  of 
this  region  between  the  two  great  Points  of  Keweenaw  and 
Great  La  Point.  It  is  close  to,  and  follows  the  Porcupine 
Mountains,  which  are  south-west  of  this  river,  and  come 
close  to  the  lake,  350  feet  high,  running  from  near  the 
shore  a  direction  a  little  west  of  south  some  80  miles,  when 
they  intersect  the  great  east  and  west  ridges.  Along  a  coast 
of  conglomerate  is 


'0 


'^^ 


(     42    ) 


Little  Iron  River,  whose  course  is  almost  parallel  with 
Great  Iron  River,  and  enters  the  lake  a  short  distance  to 
the  east  of  it.  Ten  miles  further  is  Rock  Island,  and  five 
miles  is 

Carp  River,  or  River  to  the  Islands,  with  several  small 
streams  just  west  of  it, — and  five  miles  is 

Presque  Isle  River.  This  is  one  of  the  broken  and  rapid 
rivers  of  this  region,  which  is  describable  very  much  as  the 
next  river,  six  miles  further. 


CHAPTER   XII» 

Black  River.  It  has  a  small  harbour  of  some  sixty 
rods  inside  the  bar ;  it  runs  on  the  west  side,  and  rises  in 
the  Porcupine  Mountains,  some  twelve  miles  from  the 
lake.  Its  source  is  high  in  the  hills,  and  its  course  is  rapid 
and  ^broken.  Dr.  Houghton^s  report,  in  speaking  of  this 
river,  in  connection  with  the  Montreal  and  Little  Pasque  Isle 
which  runs  parallel  with  Black  River  and  enters  the  lake  a 
little  east  of  it,  says :  "  A  greater  variety  of  grand  and  beau- 
tiful scenery  than  that  presented  by  some  of  these  streams  in 
their  descent  to  the  laVe,  taken  in  connection  with  the  wild 
and  rugged  country,  can  scarcely  be  conceived.  I  was  par- 
ticularly struck  with  the  great  variety  and  picturesque  views 
furnished  by  the  Black  River  in  its  descent  fi'om  the  elevated 
county  on  the  west  side  of  the  Porcupine  Mountains  to 
Lake  Superior.  This  stream  was  estimated  to  fall  about 
500  feet  in  four  miles,  a  constant  succession  of  falls,  chutes 
and  rapids,  which  continue  with  so  little  interruption,  that  the 
waters  the  whole  distance  may  be  said  to  be  a  constant  white 
foam.  The  stream  is  bounded  on  either  side  by  banks  from 
100  to  400  feet  high,  sometimes  sloping  away  gently,  then 
again  rising  in  mural  precipices  of  rock,  separated  from  each 
other  by  so  short  distances  as  to  appear  scarcely  sufficient  to 
permit  the  passage  of  the  waters  of  the  river.  The  highest 
fall  is  fifty  feet."  Much  of  this  is  applicable  to  the  Dead 
River  and  western  Presque  Isle.  Continuing  along  a  sand 
stone  coast,  eighteen  miles  further,  is 

Montreal  River,    It  is  broad  at  its  mouth,  in  comparison 


(    43    ) 


lUel  with 

ttance  to 

and  five 

ral  small 

ind  rapid 
;h  as  the 


ne  sixty 
rises  in 
rom  the 
is  rapid 
f  of  this 
sque  Isle 
e  lake  a 
nd  beau- 
*eams  in 
the  wild 
was  par- 
ue  views 
elevated 
itains  to 
ill  about 
I,  chutes 
that  the 
mt  white 
iks  from 
ly,  then 
3m  each 
icient  to 
highest 
le  Dead 
;  a  sand 

iparison 


with  most  of  the  others,  being  forty  to  sixty  yards.  It  cuts 
through  the  sand  rock,  which  is  100  feet  high ;  and  eight/ 
rods  from  the  lake  it  falls  eighty  feet,  with  a  pitch  of  forty 
feet.  Two  miles  from  the  lake  the  trap  and  conglomerate 
appear,  and  the  river  breaks  through  with  successive  falls  of 
180  feet,  two  of  fifty  feet  each.  It  heads  in  "  Lac  veux 
Desert,"  from  the  vicinity  of  which  rises  the  Ontonagon. 
Is  rapid,  but  above  the  falls  is  navigable  for  canoes  for  a 
great  distance.  The  soil  upon  this  river,  for  twenty-five 
miles  up,  is  represented  of  the  best  character,  and  like  the 
Ontonagon,  has  timber  of  all  kinds ;  also  like  that  river, 
n^':tny  of  its  branches  proceed  from  the  most  beautiful  little 
lakes  imaginable — and  there  are  many  of  the  purest  water 
without  inlet  or  outlet,  deep,  and  filled  with  fish.  Upon 
its  bottoms  grow  abundantly  wild  hops,  grapes,  and  cur- 
rants. There  are  fine  fisheries  at  its  mouth,  and  was  for- 
merly the  site  of  Indian  wigwams.  From  here  the  coast, 
sand  rock  and  pandy,  runs  N.W.  twelve  miles  to 

Bad  River^  which  comes  some  sixty  miles  from  Pipe 
Stone  Lake,  and  is  represented  by  explorers  and  old  voy- 
ageurs  to  be  navigable  for  canoes  eighty  miles.  This  lake  is 
in  the  second  range  of  mountains.  Its  mouth  is  200  feet 
wide,  and  water  at  the  lowest  stage  four  feet  on  the  bar. 
The  shores  are  sandy,  and  the  hills  recede.  From  here  the 
shore  continues  N.W.  for  twenty  miles,  terminating  in  a 
broken  sand  point,  called  Chagoiemegon  Point,  between 
which,  on  the  west  and  the  main  land,  is  the  entrance,  two 
miles  wide,  of  a  large  bay  by  the  same  name,  which  is  twenty 
miles  long  nortli  and  east,  and  seven  miles  wide  east  and 
west,  in  the  bottom  of  which  bay  enters  the  Fish  River.  This 
bay  is  said  to  afford  the  best  fisheries  of  this  region,  but  good 
fisheries  are  so  plenty,  it  is  hard  to  distinguish,  as  all  imagine 
those  places  where  themselves  have  been  successful,  the  hest^ 
and  for  this  reason  there  are  a  great  many  places  repre- 
sented by  difterent  persons,  from  experience,  as  the  best.  In 
coasting,  this  bay  is  lefl  to  the  south  by  crossing  its  mouth 
between  Sand  Point  mentioned  and  the  entrance  of 

Talking  Fish  River,  its  early  name.  The  following 
traditionary  account  of  the  origin  of  this  name,  will  render 
very  simple  the  incongruous  title,  and  afford  a  clue  to 
many  others  of  a  similar  nature  in  the  Indian  country.     It 


m 


■  '  :«ii 


mi 

■i;'t«;i 


i\ 


h 

Hi 


IP 


(  i*  ) 

is  thus  explained  by  a  half  breed,  now  seventy-five  years  old, 
who  has  been  all  his  life  famiUar  with  the  tales  and  traditions 
of  his  maternal  ancestors.  The  story  was  in  effect,  that  a 
great  while  ago,  an  Indian,  who  was  a  very  ingenious  man 
in  new  inventions,  arranged  a  system  of  writing  in  the  sand 
and  earth,  or  wherever  he  could  fix  them  upright,  with  sticks 
or  fish-bones,  which  he  endeavoured  to  perfect  all  the  people 
in.  The  habitual,  or  naturally  idle  disposition  of  the  Indian, 
however,  preferred  ease  to  studying  this  stepping-stone  to 
improvement,  and  but  very  few  of  his  people,  some  of  the 
principal  men,  could  be  induced  to  perfect  themselves  in  this 
new  and  mysterious  art.  Persevering  by  nature,  his  inge- 
nuity struck  upon  a  means  of  compelling  what  sloth  rejected. 
Being  the  master-spirit,  as  well  as  chief  of  his  tribe,  his  wis- 
dom in  council  made  his  opinions  desirable  in  all  matters  of 
interest  among  his  people,  and  his  decisions  were  final  in  all 
private  as  well  as  public  matters.  This  being  the  case,  his 
expedient  was  no  less  effectual  than  ingenious.  He  one  day 
came  to  his  lodge  wet  and  shivering  with  cold,  and  in  a  few 
words,  which  grew  fainter  and  fainter  till  they  ceased,  told  of 
falUng  through  the  ice.  He  continued  the  next  day  unable 
to  articulate  words  or  leave  his  bear  skin.  In  the  succeed- 
ing days  his  principal  men  came,  but  not  a  word  could  he 
utter.  Afler  a  little  he  was  able  to  go  forth,  but  could  not 
speak.  He  lamented  it  in  motions,  and  his  people  were  in 
despair.  He  could  hear  and  understand  them,  but  could 
only  answer  in  a  few  signs.  An  occasion  soon  occurring  on 
which  his  views  were  deemed  essential,  and  which,  as  far  as 
he  could,  he  gave,  but  he  could  not  be  understood  suffi- 
ciently to  arrive  at  his  precise  meaning,  which  he  lamented 
in  signs  and  grimaces,  until  one  of  his  men,  as  he  had  anti- 
cipated must  ultimately  occur,  bethought  himself  of  the  fish- 
bones, and  reminded  the  chief  that  he  could  understand  the 
"  talking  fish,"  or  the  language  of  the  fish-bones.  The  chief 
appeared  in.  doubt,  as  if  an  unthought  of  matter  was  pre- 
sented ;  at  length  rising,  slowly  sought  his  bag  of  bones, 
and  arranged  them  in  explanation  of  his  views.  The  scheme 
took — many  of  his  people  qualified  themselves ;  but  the  use 
of  the  **  talking  fish"  was  gradually  dropt  after  his  death,  and 
degenerated  to  a  few  heiroglyphics  and  symbols,  as  in  use 


I  ^^fai- 


(    45    ) 


years  old, 
traditions 
;ct,  that  a 
lious  man 

the  sand 
rith  sticks 
he  people 
le  Indian, 
[-stone  to 
ne  of  the 
es  in  this 
his  inge- 

rejected. 
,  his  wis- 
latters  of 
nal  in  all 
case,  his 
3  one  day 

in  a  few 
d,  told  of 
y  unable 
succeed- 
could  he 
ould  not 
5  were  in 
ut  could 
irring  on 
as  far  as 
>od  suffi- 
amented 
lad  anti- 
the  fish- 
tand  the 
'he  chief 
was  pre- 
f  bones, 
i  scheme 

the  use 
lath,  and 
s  in  use 


with  all  Indian  nations.    From  him  the  name  of  Talking 
Fish  River  is  said  to  have  arisen. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

A  large  point  runs  north-east  into  Lake  Superior,  whose 
eastern  shore  runs  N.  by  £.  from  the  bottom  of  Chegoieme- 
gon  bay  with  a  few  points  and  irregularities,  which,  how- 
ever, do  not  alter  its  general  course.  This  is  Great  La 
Point,  and  in  its  shape  and  size,  including  the  Apostles  Islands, 
which  are  detachments  of  this  point,  very  much  resembles 
the  Keweenaw  point  in  size,  shape  and  direction  of  its  coasts, 
the  westerly  of  which  is  N.  E.  and  S.  W.  The  group  consists 
of  twenty  islands.  A  line  from  the  bottom  of  the  bay  drawn 
N.  E.  fifty  miles  would  touch  the  north-eastermost  point  of 
the  north-eastern  island,  which  is  ten  miles  long  N.  and  S., 
and  three  miles  wide  ;  this  will  be  the  first  land  discovered 
on  the  correct  course  up  the  lake  bound  to  La  Point  Har- 
bour on  Madeline  Island,  which  Madeline  Island  is  southern' 
most  and  largest  of  the  group,  (at  the  south  end  of  which 
is  La  Point  Harbour,)  extending  twelve  miles  N.  £.  by  E. 
and  S.  W.  by  W.,  and  three  miles  wide.  The  northeastern- 
most  island  mentioned  above  as  the  first  land,  is  by  some 
called  St.  Michael's  Island.  Its  north  point  is  thirty-five 
miles  N.  E.  by  N.  fi'om  La  Point  Harbour,  and  forty- five  due 
N.  of  the  mouth  of  Montreal  River ;  and  one  hundred  and 
five  miles  from  Fon  du  Lac,  the  south-western  extremity  of 
Lake  Superior.  The  coast  of  the  N.  E.  end  of  the  Great  La 
Point,  twenty  miles  N.  W.  and  S.  E.,  is  broken  by  bays  and 
points,  between  which  and  St.  Michael's  Island,  is  an  area 
which  is  thirty-five  miles  N.  W.  and  S.  E.  by  thirty  miles  N. 
E.  and  S.  W.,  in  which  is  located  eighteen  of  the  twenty 
Apostles,  including  the  N.  E.  half  of  Madeline ;  the  excluded 
one,  being  N.  W.  from  and  near  the  northern  extremity  of 
the  Great  La  Point. 

Among  these  islands  are  numerous  harbours,  and  good 
fisheries.  At  La  Point  harbour  is  an  A.  Fur  Company's 
station,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Borup ;  there  is  also 
a  Mission  station  under  Mr.  Hall,  an  Indian  agency,  &c.,and 


4 


I  J. 


M 


!.  fl 


i 


(    46    ) 

about  two  hundred  and  fifty  inhabitants.  This  place  is  ninety 
miles  from  Fon  du  Lac  and  ninety  miles  from  the  Ontonagon. 
Mr.  Warren  who  was  many  years  American  Fur  Gompany*s 
agent  at  this  place,  informs  me  that  the  climate  is  not  as 
rigorous  as  is  generally  imagined,  and  that  the  soil  is  gener- 
ally good,  producing  good  wheat  and  the  other  usual  crops 
in  good  quality,  and  that  stock  are  always  healthy.  The 
N.  W.  coast  of  this  point  in  the  main  runs  N.  £.  and  S.  W. 
like  Keweenaw,  conforming  to  the  direction  of  the  Trap 
Range,  of  which  this  seems  to  be  another  uplift,  and  for  fifty- 
five  miles  towards  Fon  du  Lac  is  ruggedly  broken  into  bays 
and  points  of  constant  recurrence  with  numbers  of  small 
un-named  streams  entering  from  the  neighbouring  hills  very 
like  in  character  but  more  numerous  than  those  of  Keweenaw, 
affording  harbours,  water-falls  and  scenery  both  grand  and 
beautiful,  but  no  streams  of  magnitude  are  found  until  reach- 
ing the  Bois  Brule.  ..r-+    •• 

Bois  Brule,  or  Burnt  Wood  River,  enters  Lake  Supe- 
rior thirty-five  miles  due  east  from  the  mouth  of  the  St. 
Louis  River,  at  Fon  du  Lac,  (bottom  of  the  lake)  which 
comes  in  its  meanderings  seventy-three  miles  from  its  source, 
near  Upper  Lake  St.  Croix,  or  Sturgeon  Lake,  in  the  great 
east  and  west  range  of  mountains  of  trap,  flanked  on  north 
by  sand  stone.  The  shore  of  the  river  is  a  sandy  alluvium, 
as  the  rivers  Montreal  and  Ontonagon,  with  the  red  sand 
rock,  and  the  country  of  the  Brulu  has  the  same  general 
characteristics  afier  leaving  Great  La  Point,  that  marks  the 
country  of  the  Ontonagon  and  that  river  itself,  after  leaving 
Keweenaw  Point.  Its  moutii  is  thirty  to  fifty  feet  wide, 
sandy,  and  five  feet  water  on  the  bar.  It  surpasses  all  other 
streams  in  its  brook  trout,  some  of  them,  I  have  the  assur- 
ance of  Mr.  Jacobs,  weighing  ten  pounds.  Its  waters  colder 
and  clearer,  if  possible,  than  any  of  the  other  rivers. 

This  river  is  navigable  for  canoes  seventy-two  miles.  The 
navigable  branch  does  not  connect,  but  rises  near  a  smaller 
lake,  or  rather  a)\  immense  boiling  spring,  which  interlocks 
the  St.  Croix  near  by,  and  the  voyageurs  make  a  portage  of 
two  pauses  to  that  lake,  which  is  the  summit  lake.  A  pause 
is  a  distance  which  varies  a  little  according  to  the  length  of 
the  portage  and  the  weight  of  the  packs.  At  the  portage 
the  captain  gues  ahead  and  sets  a  slake  to  which  tiie  first 


.■  > 


(  «  ) 


packs  are  brouglit ;  he  then  goes  ahead  and  bCts  a  stake  to 
which  the  second  packs  from  the  canoe  are  brought ;  lie  then 
goes  and  sets  another,  to  which  the  packs  left  at  the  first 
pause  are  broifght,  and  thus  the  portage  is  marked  by  pauses, 
generally  about  80  rods.  There  is  also  tioo  pauses  in  de- 
scending with  canoes  from  this  lake  by  the  St.  Croix  river, 
and  Lower  Lake  St.  Croix  to  the  Mississippi,  some  twenty 
miles  below  the  falls  of  St.  Anthony.  Tliese  tiao  pauses  are 
caused  by  a  rapid  in  the  St.  Croix  near  its  exit  from  Upper 
Lake  St.  Croix,  as  I  before  remarked,  a  summit  lake,  the 
Brule  falling  into  Lake  Superior,  and  the  St.  Croix  into  the 
Mississippi.  This  lake  corresponds  with  Lac  veux  Desert. 
From  that  the  Montreal  and  Ontonagon  fall  into  Luke  Supe- 
rior, and  the  Menomonie  into  Green  Bay.  Lee  veux  Desert 
being  south  of  Keweenaw  Point  and  Upper  Lake  St.  Croix, 
south  of  La  Point,  in  very  nearly  the  same  latitude,  but 
one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  apart.  I  am  informed  also  by 
Mr.  Jacobs,  who  has  passed  over  to  the  Mississippi  upon 
this  route  through  Great  Lake  St.  Croix,  that  there  are  con- 
statit  mineral  indications,  plenty  of  game,  though  the  soil 
upon  the  Brule  is  rather  inferior ;  good  timber,  with  innu- 
merable beautiful  lakes,  while  the  westing  made,  counterbal- 
ances its  northern  position  in  regard  to  climate.  At  the  mouth 
of  the  Brule  was  formerly  a  fur  company  station,  which  has 
long  been  removed.  The  bottoms  of  this  river  are  at  first 
one-fourth  to  one-half  mile  wide,  increasing  and  rather  low, 
but  rising  and  widening  into  open  ridges,  with  oak,  elm  and 
maple,  on  the  lower  lands.  The  great  falls  of  the  St.  Croix 
arc  accessible  to  steamboats  from  the  Mississippi. 

The  lake  shore  from  here  bears  S.  W.  to  the  entrance  of 
the  Bay  of  Fon  du  Lac,  which  has  usually  eight  feet  water 
on  the  bar,  and  is  a  good  harbour  on  the  south  shore,  to 
which  a  Icmfr  narrow  strip  of  land  comes  nearly  across  from 
the  north  shore,  and  around  whose  eastern  [loint,  between 
it  and  the  main,  is  reached  the  greater  bay,  or  end  of  the 
lake.  At  the  bottom  of  this  bay,  which  is  some  nine  miles  in 
circumference,  is  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Louis  River,  whose 
branches  interlock  in  the  N.  W.  with  those  of  the  Upper 
Mississippi.      v 

A  few  miles  up  the  St.  Louis  is  a  perpendicular  fall  of 
some  fiiiecn  feet,  at  which  is  an  A.  F.  Co.  Station,  and  a 


■m 


111 


hH 


J'l! 


m 


(    48     ) 


population  of  300  of  French,  Indians,  &c.  Here  enters, 
from  the  S.  W.  the  river  Fon  du  Lac,  which  rises  in  the 
mountains  about  fifty  miles  from  Lake  Superior.  About 
ten  miles  from  the  mouth  of  tlie  St.  Louis  is  the  portage 
Aux  Coteaux,  or  portage  of  knives,  which  has  ninety  feet 
perpendicular  fall.  The  knives,  from  which  this  name  is 
derived,  are  perpendicular  layers  of  slate,  Avhose  edges  are 
very  sharp. 

From  Fon  du  I/ac,  the  coast  of  Lake  Superior  runs  wiiii 
litde  variation,  N.  E.  180  miles,  to  the  boundary  line  between 
the  United  States  and  G.  Britain,  where  the  48th  deg.  N.  L. 
cuts  the  mouth  of  the  Pigeon  River,  as  established  by  a  joint 
commission  under  the  treaty  of  1818.  Due  east  from  the 
mouth  of  Pigeon  River  is 

Isle  Royal,  ly'mg  near  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior, but  within  the  boundary  of  the  U.  S.  This  is  a  nar- 
row island  of  rock,  having  a  length  of  about  forty-five  miles 
N.  E.  and  S.  W.,  and  an  average  width  of  three  to  eight 
miles,  and  some  of  its  hills  have  an  altitude  of  three  and  four 
hundred  feet.  The  geology  of  the  island  has  a  close  re- 
semblance to  that  of  the  mineral  district  upon  the  main 
shore  S.  W.,  being  a  continuation  beyond  all  doubt,  of  the 
up  heave  of  Great  La  Point ;  but  the  dip  of  the  rocks  is  re- 
versed, and  like  those  of  the  south  shore,  pitch  towards  the 
lake.  Nearly  the  whole  of  its  N.  W.  side  is  of  continuous 
rocky  cliffs,  which  will  scarcely  admit  of  landing,  but  the 
southern  shore  has  several  fine  bays  and  hnrbours.  The 
northeasterly  end  is  elevated  rocks,  and  has  spits  ten  to 
twelve  miles  long,  with  scarcely  half  a  mile  width,  like  the 
fingers  half  spread.  It  is  almost  destitute  of  soil,  but  bus 
the  finest  fisheries.  The  country  west  of  Luke  Superior  is 
mountainous  for  20  miles,  and  some  of  them  1200  to  1500 
feet  high.  This  Isle  Royal  has  been  reserved  by  the  gov- 
ernment from  locations.  Yet  several  permits  have  been  laid 
upon  it. 

The  treaty  with  the  Chippewas,  which  was  consummated 
in  1842,  gave  us  the  mineral  lands  of  the  south  shore  of  Lake 
Superior.  These  lands  were  promised  to  the  State  of  Michi- 
gan in  lieu  of  lands  which  fell  to  Ohio  at  the  conclusion  of 
the  **  Toledo  war."  Michigan  sent  Dr.  Houghton  in  1835, 
to  make  a  preliminary  examination  of  the  country.     On 


MHdlKIWMMMWW 


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(     49    ) 

lei^iug  the  Great  Copper  Rock  of  the  Ontonagon,  in  1835, 
the  Doctor  forgot  his  tomahawk  lying  upon  that  rock,  and 
when  he  returned  there  in  1843,  in  making  his  official  sur- 
vey, he  found  his  hatchet — showing  no  one  had  been  there  in 
eight  years.  The  hne  of  Michigan,  runs  from  the  mouth  of 
the  Menomonie  river  where  it  enters  Green  bay,  nearly  N.  W. 
to  the  mouth  of  the  Western  or  Great  Montreal  river  where 
it  enters  Lake  Superior.  The  territory  west  of  this  line  be- 
longs to  Wisconsin  to  a  hne  drawn  from  the  falls  of  St.  Louis 
river,  where  the  American  Fur  Company's  station  is,  nearly 
S.  E.  by  S.  to  Spirit  Lake,  thence  by  Rum  river  nearly  S., 
to  the  Mississippi. 

In  addition  to  his  other  duties.  Dr.  Houghton  was  author- 
ized to  locate  every  16th  Section,  wherever  he  thought  pro- 
per, for  school  purposes.  Whether  he  has  located  any  or 
not,  has  not  transpired. 

The  north  shore  of  Lake  Superior  is  much  more  rugged 
in  its  features  than  the  southerly^hore,  and  promises  but 
little  in  the  way  of  agriculture,  for  a  range  of  low  but  rugged 
mountains  skirt  nearly  the  whole  of  this  coast,  and  at  several 
points  rise  abruptly  to  a  height  varying  from  800  to  1,400 
feet  above  the  lake.  These  hills  form  the  dividing  ridge  be- 
tween the  short  streams  running  southerly  into  Lake  Superior, 
and  those  taking  a  northerly  direction  into  Hudson's  bay  ; 
and  after  passing  the  first  and  most  elevated  range,  the 
country  is  mainly  made  up  of  low  granite  hills,  frequently 
destitute  of  timber,  and  intervening  tamarack  swamps,  for  a 
distance  varying  from  fifty  to  one  hundred  miles,  when  com- 
mences the  comparatively  level  district  which  extends  to 
Hudson's  bay.  Nothing  can  be  conceived  which  would  give 
a  more  desolate  character  to  the  country  than  this  succession 
of  low  and  for  the  most  part  granite  hills  and  swamps,  and 
♦his  country  may  be  said  to  be  a  portion  of  the  district  which 
further  west,  is  technically  known  to  the  Indians  as  the 
"Barren  Grounds."  On  some  portions  of  this  shore  are  ex- 
cellent indications  of  mineral,  and  some  beautiful  specimens 
have  been  brought  from  there. 

One  of  the  concessions  wrung  from  the  *'  home  govern- 
ment "  by  the  Provincial,  has  been  the  management  of  the 
Colonial  lands  of  which  the  Provincial  Parliament  has  now 
the  regulation.     This  fact  enables  the  Canadians  to  enter 
4 


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MINERAL    REGIONS 

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(    50    ) 


into  the  production  of  metals,  and  that  government  4ias 
granted  permits  to  individuals  for  examining  and  locating 
twenty  miles  square  to  be  held  twenty-one  years  upon  pay- 
ment of  a  per  centage  of  products.  This  is  open  to  British 
subjects  only,  but  several  citizens  of  Detroit  are  said  to  be 
partners  with  John  Prince  in  a  location  ;  and  a  company  of 
explorers  with  a  geologist  set  out  from  the  Sault  on  an  ex- 
ploring expedition  upon  that  side,  early  in  November  last. 

Here,  most  patient  reader,  our  coasting  is  finished.  You 
may  dispose  of  your  canoe  and  calamities — doff  your  cotton 
canvass  suit,  your  red  shirt  and  heavy  boots — take  off  those 
inches  of  beard  which  prevent  familiars  recognizing  you — go 
into  a  soft  bed  and  discover,  that  for  several  nights  you  are 
unable  to  sleep  well ;  after  a  few  days,  wonder  at  the  loss  of 
an  appetite  that  gave  pork  and  hard  bread  so  fine  a  relish  ; 
and,  as  you  put  the  Crg||;on  to  your  lips,  remember  and  long 
for  the  crystal  purity  of  the  Father  of  lakes,  the  trout  and 
sis-kaw-it,  as  did  certain  run-aways,  on  a  time,  for  the 
"  flesh  pots  of  Egypt."  When  you  again  join  the  social  cir- 
cle where  mirth  and  jollity  prevail,  and  joke  and  song  go 
round :  when  diurnal  head  aches  succeed  nocturnal  dissi- 
pations— then  remember  the  tales  and  songs  that  whiled 
away  the  evenings  by  the  camp-fire, — the  sound  and  sweet 
sleep — the  vigor  and  health  that  recompensed  exercise  and 
whicli  made  life  a  reality,  and  the  world  beautiful  before 
you ; — when  you  stand  upon  the  colossal  Exchange  and 
mark  the  care-overloaded  hundreds  hurrying  to  and  fro,  in 
doubt  and  despair  of  "making  good"  by  3', — when  you  see 
the  "Bull"  of  yesterday  the  "Boar"  to-day,  and  both  "  lame 
Ducks"  to-morrow, — when  you  see  the  ignorant  and  vicious 
gloating  over  accidental  wealth,  and  prizing  it  only  for  its 
power  of  licentiousness  or  the  immunity  it  will  purchase  ; — 
when  you  see  civilized  "  man's  ingratitude  to  man  make 
countless  thousands  mourn,"  you  will  remember 

*' the  poor  Indian,  whose  untutored  mind, 

Sees  God  in  clouds  and  hears  him  in  the  wind," 

and  half  couclude  if  "  ignorance  is  bliss — 'tis  folly  to  be 


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PART    SECOND. 


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II 


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CHTAPTER  I. 

GENERAL  VIEW  OP  THE  COUNTRY. 

Westerly  from  Point  Iroquois  to  Chocolate  river,  the  coun- 
try is  more  elevated  and  has  a  much  smaller  proportion  of 
wet  land,  than  east  of  it.  A  range  of  hills  having  an  eleva- 
tion ranging  from  300  to  600  feet  above  Lake  Superior,  com- 
mences a  little  easterly  from  Point  Iroquois,  and  stretches 
very  nearly  north,  until  the  western  escapement  appears  on 
the  coast,  giving  rise  to  the  elevated  hills  of  which  the  Pic- 
tured rocks  and  Grand  Island  form  a  part.  The  outline  of 
this  range  of  hills  has  the  most  perfect  regularity,  being  un- 
broken and  uniformly  covered  with  a  dense  growth  of  tim- 
ber. 

West  from  Chocolate  river  to  Montreal  river  the  physical 
character  of  the  country  is  widely  different  from  that  of  the 
district  just  referred  to.  This  country  is  made  up  of  a  series 
of  irregular  knobby  ranges  of  hills,  that  have  a  general  east- 
erly and  westerly  direction,  with  intervening  valleys  of  flat 
and  rolHng  land.  These  hills  not  unfrequently  rise  to  a 
height  of  from  600  to  900  feet,  very  near  to.  the  coast  of 
Lake  Superior,  and  15  to  20  miles  south  from  the  coast  some 
points  rise  from  1200  to  1300  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
Lake.  The  ragged  outline  which  this  district  presents  when 
viewed  in  detail  from  the  Lake,  contrasts  in  a  striking  man- 
ner with  that  of  the  country  lying  east  from  Chocolate  river, 
for  instead  of  the  unbroken  range  of  hills  covered  with  a 


1 

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(    52    ) 


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S 


dense  forest,  there  is  a  series  of  hills  and  knobs  nearly  or 
quite  destitute  of  timber,  and  frequently  abrupt  and  precip- 
itous, i. 

The  only  exception  to  the  east  and  westerly  tendency  of 
these  hills  is  in  the  range  constituting  the  Porcupine  moun- 
tains. These  rise  somewhat  abruptly  almost  upon  the  east- 
ern coast  of  Lake  Superior,  at  a  point  37  miles  north-easter- 
ly from  the  mouth  of  Montreal  river,  and  from  this  point  they 
stretch  inland  south-west  and  westerly  in  the  direction  of  the 
sources  of  the  Wisconsin.  The  most  elevated  points  of  the 
Porcupine  mountains  near  Lake  Superior  attain  nearly  950, 
but  some  of  the  knobs  inland  are  1000  to  1500  feet,  above 
the  La^*?.  The  valleys  separating  these  ranges  of  hiUs  are 
uniformly  heavily  timbered,  and  by  far  the  largest  proportion 
of  the  timber  is  beach  and  maple. 

The  length  of  the  hilly  or  mountainous  district,  estimating 
in  a  direct  line  west  from  Chocolate  River  to  the  Montreal 
River,  is  very  nearly  160  miles,  and  it  does  not  probably 
extend  at  any  point  more  than  twenty  or  twenty-five  miles 
south  of  this   line,  between  the   points  mentioned.     The 

freatest  width  of  the  district  would  be  opposite  Keweenaw 
*oint,  which  extends  sixty-seven  miles  north  from  this  line, 
making  the  widest  part  about  eighty-seven  miles.  Kewee- 
naw Bay  of  Lake  Superior  stretches  sixty  miles  from  Ke- 
weenaw Point  south,  into  this  hilly  and  mountainous  country. 
South  from  the  range  of  hilly  country  alluded  to,  and 
extending  to  Green  Bay,  the  country  at  first  becomes  more 
level,  and  finally  flat,  though  some  regular  and  unbroken 
ranges  of  hills  occur.  In  topography,  it  more  resembles  the 
country  east  of  Chocolate  River.  Of  the  country  between 
the  mineral  region  and  Green  Bay  but  little  will  be  known 
until  the  surveys  are  finished. 

The  Streams  which  discharge  their  waters  into  Lake 
Superior  upon  its  southern  shore,  are  invariably  short,  and, 
with  very  few  exceptions,  the  quantity  of  water  is  small. 
This  remark,  in  fact,  may  apply  to  the  whole  of  the  region 
of  country  surrounding  the  Lake ;  for  this  immense  body 
of  water  is  completely  surrounded  by  hills,  that,  at  no  great 
distance  from  the  Lake,  fall  away  more  or  less  rapidly. 
Thus^  while  many  of  the  streams  discharging  their  waters 
into  Lake  Michigan,  Green  Bay,  and  the  Mississippi,  have 


::4 


!!:: 


(    53    ) 

their  sources  near  to  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  so 
also  many  of  these  streams  which  discharge  their  waters 
into  Hudson's  Bay,  have  their  sources  near  to  the  north 
coast  of  the  Lake.  The  near  approach  of  the  summits  of 
those  ranges  of  hills  surrounding  the  Lake,  to  the  immediate 
coast,  leaves  the  area  of  country  draining  into  Lake  Supe- 
perior  comparatively  small. 

The  vicinity  of  the  Tequoimenon  River,  which  is  the 
only  stream  east  from  Chocolate  River  that  in  reality  breaks 
through  the  range  of  Sandstone  hilL, — before  mentioned  as 
extending  from  Poin;  Iroquois, — enters  the  Lake  about 
eighteen  miles  S.  W.  4rom  Whit^j  Fish  Point — four  to  four 
and  a  half  feet  water  on  th*^  sand  bar;  for  seven  or  eight 
miles  up,  the  water  is  tea  to  fifteen  feet  deep.  Some  of  the 
sources  of  this  stream  are  very  near  I.  nke  Michigan.  This 
stream,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  t  pids  and  chutes,  is  a 
sluggish  stream,  though  at  op<>  point  the  w'  ole  stream  falls 
perpendicularly  forty-six  fett — 5 he  beauty  * >i  which  is  en- 
hanced by  the  high  and  overiianging  rocks  upon  either  side. 
This  fall  is  at  the  passage,  through  the  Sandstone  hiUs,  pro- 
bably fifteen  or  twenty  miles  from  the  Lake.  Those  streams 
which  occur  between  Chocolate  River  and  Keweenaw  Bay, 
are^with  the  exception  of  Huron — which  is  navigable  for 
canoes  for  some  distance — small ;  and  with  the  exception  of 
tliis  and  Dead  River,  it  is  believed  they  all  have  their  sources 
in  small  lakes  at  the  bases  of  neighbouring  hills,  which  rarely 
recede  farther  than  three  or  five  miles  from  the  coast. 


hi 


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ii 


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W 

II 


CHAPTER   II. 


The  foiiowing  arrangement  of  the  rocks  of  the  Lake  Su- 
perior mineral  region^  and  their  mineral  contents^  is  condensed 
from  Dr.  Houghton'' s  Report : 

Primary  Rocks. — The  rocks  constituting  what  may  be 
considered  the  true  primary  group  of  this  region,  are  chiefly 
granite,  syenite,  and  syenitic  granites,  first  seen  upon  the 
south  coast  of  Lake  Superior,  constituting  a  rocky  point 
known  as  Little  Presque  Isle,  south-east  from  Keweenaw 
Point,  near  the  Dead  River,  and  known  as  Granite  Point. 
6^ 


(     54     ) 


rffe.». 


?: 


These  rocks  frequently  appear  upon  tlie  coast  noKli-westerly, 
as  far  as  Huron  River,  and  forming  the  Huron  Islands. 
West  from  Huron  Islands,  no  rock  appears  upon  the  coast 
which  in  a  strict  sense  is  primary.  At  Huron  Islands,  these 
rocks  rise  upon  the  main  land  300  to  700  feet  above  the 
lake,  called  "  Huron  Mountains,"  and  this  range  of  hills  is 
continued  to  the  south-west  nearly  or  quite  to  the  sources  of 
the  Wisconsin,  and  are  joined  with  the  south-west  prolonga- 
tion of  the  Porcupine  Mountains.  / 

Although  the  usual  ternary  compound  of  quartz,  feldspar, 
and  mica,  occurs  but  rarely  in  the  vicinity  of  the  coast,  or 
even  in  any  portion  of  the  range,  nevertheless,  the  great  mass 
of  rocks  therein  may  in  a  broad  sense  be  called  granite. 
The  above  compound  is  more  common  in  the  westerly  than 
easterly  portion  of  the  range.  Proceeding  north  upon  this 
range,  the  rocks  change  character  almost  imperceptibly,  the 
quartz  being  displaced  with  a  binary  compound  of  feldspar 
and  hornblende,  which  assumes  a  granular  structure  con- 
stituting greenstone,  with  an  intermediate,  which  may  be 
called  syenitic  greenstone.  The  primary  rocks  which  appear 
in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Superior,  in  the  several  ranges  of 
hills  extending  from  a  point  little  south  of  Dead  River  to 
Huron  River,  are  mainly  syenite,  or  syenitic  granite;  ia, ex- 
tremely compact,  and  the  constituent  minerals  are  mostly  in 
small  crystals,  feldspar  occasionally,  in  a  more  crystalline  form. 
The  granite  rocks  in  a  southwesterly  direction  are  traversed 
by  dykes  of  the  grernstone,  which  forms  the  north-westerly 
ranges  of  hills.  The  courses  of  these  dykes  are  invariably 
marked  by  striking  changes  in  the  character  of  the  rock 
traversed,  and.  in  the  layer  of  these  dykes  the  evidences  of 
change  produced  by  the  injection  of  heated  matter,  extend  to 
several  hundred  feet  upon  either  side  of  the  dyke  itself. 
There  is  an  identity  between  the  rock  of  the  dyke  and  the 
ranges  of  greenstone  north-west,  in  the  similarity  of  their 
mineral  character,  and  the  quick  succeeding  dykes,  till  it  is 
difficult  to  determine  which  predominates.  The  greenstone 
traverses  the  rock  in  all  directions.  Veins  of  other  matter  are 
very  rare.  In  one  instance  a  vein  of  porphyry  three  feet  in  width, 
itself  traversed  at  angles  of  53  and  107  degrees  by  greenstone 
of  less  width,  was  discovered,  showing  the  greenstone  most 
recent.    The  veins  of  greenstone  traversing  tlie  granite  vai7 


» 


'r 


(    55    ) 

from  a  mere  line  to  60  feet  wide,  and  tliey  waste  more  rapidly 
than  the  rock  they  traverse,  which  is  peculiarly  so  upon  the 
lake  coast,  leaving  narrow  bays  and  perpendicular  walls, 
while  the  granite  remains  unaffected.  Upon  the  north  coast 
of  the  lake  the  granite  and  syenite,  or  syenitic  granite,  occa- 
sionally appear  upon  the  shore,  but  more  frequently  these 
rocks  are  flanked  on  the  south  by  the  greenstone  with  occa- 
sional narrow  bands  of  sandstone,  thus  precisely  reversing  the 
magnetic  order  of  these  rocks  upon  the  south  shor^' 

The  term  Greenstone  is  used  in  its  generic  sense,  and  ap- 
plied to  all  compact  rocks  of  a  granulated  structure  belonging 
to  the  trap  range. 


MINERALS  OF  THE  PRIMAUY  ROCKS. 


^ 


Schovl. 

Tourmaline. 

Hornblende. 


-^v 


Actynolite. 

Mica. 

Quartz. 


Feldspar, 


Red. 


CHAPTER  III. 


Trap  Rocks. — Flanking  the  primary  rocks  already  de- 
scribed on  the  north  and  northwest,  are  a  scries  of  ranges  of 
hills,  stretching  generally  in  a  direction  south-westerly  and 
north-easterly,  which  attain  an  altitude  of  from  300  to  900 
feet  above  the  lake.  Along  the  lake  side  of  Huron  Moun- 
tains, they  are  less  broken  than  the  primary  hills.  The  range 
of  these  rocks  may  be  said  to  commence  at  the  extremity  of 
Keweenaw  Point,  running  in  a  generally  south-west  direc- 
tion, gradually  receding  from  the  coast  until  their  crossing 
the  Ontonagon  River,  nearly  25  miles  from  the  lake.  West- 
erly of  the  Ontonngon,  this  range  becomes  confounded  with 
the  northerly  portions  of  the  Porcui)inc  Mountains,  while  west 
from  these  mountains  a  portion  snpjiost  d  cf  this  same  range 
inclines  west,  and  approaches  the  coast,  until,  at  the  crossing 
of  the  Montreal  River,  it  is  but  two  miles  from  Lake  Supe- 
rior. West  from  the  Porcupine  Mountains,  a  second  range 
of  trap  is  continued  at  a  distance  of  from  15  to  20  miles  in- 
land. The  trap  range  of  Keweenaw  Point  may  be  estimated 
to  compose  one-third  of  the  entire  width  of  \\w.  point,  and  the 
southwesterly  portions  are  made  up  of  compact  greenstone, 


m< 
I, 


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( 


) 


V 


i 


while  those  portions  to  the  northwest  are  amygdaloid.  This 
trap,  through  its  whole  course  on  the  north  and  north-west 
sides,  is  bounded  by  hills  of  conglomerate  and  sand-stone, 
some  as  high  as  400  feet. 

The  almost  insensible  gradations  by  which  the  granite 
rock  passes  into  the  greenstone  of  the  trap  formations,  and 
the  near  analogy  of  the  whole  of  the  rocks  of  both  formations 
to  each  other,  renders  it  more  convenient,  at  the  same  time 
it  is  more  simple  to  follow  the  order  adopted  than  their  strict 
chronoloscical  one.  •* 

The  rocks  of  the  outer  or  northwestern  range  of  hills,  which 
were  clearly  of  the  series  of  the  uplifts,  bears  more  unequivo- 
cally the  evidences  of  igneous  origin,  than  either  of  the  outer 
ranges  alluded  to.  Tiie  rock  upon  the  south  flank  of  these 
hills  is  invariably  very  compact  greenstone,  while  upon  the 
north-westerly  line  it  is  almost  as  invariably  an  amygdaloid^ 
or  has  at  least  an  amygdaloidal  structure.  The  causes  of 
this  difference  of  the  structure  of  the  rock,  upon  the  opposite 
sides  of  this  range  of  hills,  when  carefully  examined,  are  very 
apparent ;  for  it  is  very  evident  that  the  uplift  of  the  rocks  of 
the  range  of  hills  was  wholly  upon  the  south-east  side,  and 
while  the  rocks  of  this  portion  were  in  a  sohdified  state  ;  or 
in  other  words,  that  a  point  in  Lake  Superior  may  be  re- 
garded as  the  fixed  axis  of  the  uplifted  mass,  and  sustained 
by  the  fact  that  the  sedhnentary  rocks  of  the  couth  or  south- 
east are  scarcely  disturbed  so  far  as  it  regards  this  range  of 
hills,  while  those  of  the  north  or  north-western  side  are  inva- 
riably lifted  to  a  high  angle  near  the  range  of  hills,  and  de- 
creases gradually  as  we  leave  them.  The  sedimentary  rocks, 
which  upon  the  nortli  side  idways  dip/ro//i  the  range  of  trap 
hills,  are  in  their  closo  ])roximity  tothe  trap  inclined  at  angles 
ra  ixing  from  4.5  to  95  doijrees.  Dvkes  traver.^e  theso  sedi- 
mentary  rocks  of  50  to  500  feet  wide,  the  wide!«t  have  been 
protruded  tlirough  the  strata  of  the  sedimentary  rocks,  and 
have  the  general  inclination.  The  result  of  these  dykes'oc- 
curring  at  short  distances  from  the  main  body  of  trap,  is  that 
the  sedimentary  rocks  frequently  so  far  lose  their  original 
character  as  scarcely  to  W  recognised. 

The  rocks  of  the  complete  north-western  escapement  of 
these  hills  were  evidently  in  a  state  of  intense  ignition  while 
in  contact  with  the  ;iedimentary  ruckS}  which  is  shown  by  the 


(    57    ) 


evident  change  in  the  latter.  The  origin  of  amygdaloid  Dr. 
A.  heUeves  referable  to  fusion  of  lower  portions  of  the  sedi- 
mentary rocks  referred  to,  inasmuch  that  in  passing  south  the 
amygdaloid  disappears,  and  its  place  supplied  with  greenstone ; 
and  again,  so  intimately  are  they  blended,  that  no  line  of 
demarkation  is  discoverable.  Purely  sedimentary  rock  is 
scarcely  found  imbedded  in  the  amygdaloid,  a  circumstance 
though  not  conclusive,  should  not  be  overlooked  in  consider- 
ing of  this  subject. 

There  is  a  knob  of  trap  appears  and  forms  Granite 
Point,  Dead  River,  which  is  mostly  greenstone,  though  so 
darkly  calcined  as  to  derive  tlie  name  of  serpentine  rock. 
It  possesses  additional  interest  from  the  unequivocal  evidence 
of  uphft,  as  well  as  the  manner  of  their  exhibition.  The 
cliffs  of  trap  occupy  the  extremity  of  the  point,  while  the  neck« 
and  centre  portions  are  made  up  of  conglomerate  or  trap-tuf 
and  sand  rock  resting  upon  tlie  trap.  The  stratification  of 
the=o  rocks  dip  at  a  high  angle,  showing  great  disturbance, 
as  they  appear  upon  the  coast  near  by  in  cliffs  from  20  to  60 
feet  higli.  But  the  most  curious  feature  is  that  the  sedimen- 
tary rocks,  for  a  distance  of  several  hundred  feet,  have  been 
completely  shattered  or  broken  into  minute  fragments,  which 
having  preserved  their  position  were  again  cemented  by  the 
injection  of  calcareous  matter,  which  filled  the  most  minute 
fissures,  so  rauoh  so  that  a  hand  specimen  frequently  contains 
many  hundred  of  those  veins.  This  rock,  like  the  primary, 
is  traversed  by  veins  of  a  date  subsequent  to  the  uplifl. 

On  Isle  Royal  and  the  north  shore,  the  same  character  of 
rock  appears  on  the  southward  that  occupies  the  north  side 
of  ranges  on  the  south  shore,  and  the  dip  answering  to  the 
axis  alluded  to. 


MTNERAM  OF  THE  TRAP  ROCK. 


Quartz,  Common, 
Do.     Smoky. 
Milky. 
Greasy. 
Radiated. 
Mamillary. 
Drusy. 
Amethystii^e. 


Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 


Chalcedony. 

Carnelian. 

Jasper. 


Steatite,  Common. 
Asbestus 
Amianthus. 
Calcareous  Sp&r. 
Copper,  Native. 
i'      Do.     PyritouB. 
-  Do.     Black. 

Do.     Red  Oxyde  of. 

Do.     Azure  Carbonate  of. 

Do.     Green  Carbonate  of. 

Do       Do.    Ferruginoiu. 


t> 


(    58    ) 


Agate,  Common. 

Do.    Fortification* 
Augite. 
Acfynolite. 
Serpentine.         '' 

Do.         Paeudomorpliins. 
Chlorite,  Common. 

Do.      Earthy. 


Lead,  Sulphuret  of. 
Do.  Carbonate  of. 
Iron,  Pyritous.  •     ,:--.j-^ 

Do.  Red  Oxyde  ot      '   ^ 

Do.  Hydrate  of. 

Do.  Silicate  of. 
Manganese,  Ferruginous  Oxyde  of. 
Silver,  Native,  (very  rare.) 


w 


CHAPTER   IV. 


MetomorpJiic  Rocks. — Flanking  the  primary  rocks  on  thfc 
south,  is  a  series  of  stratified  rocks,  conisisting  of  talacose, 
mica  and  clay  slates,  slaty  hornblende  rock,  and  quartz 
rock,  the  latter  constituting  by  far  the  largest  proportion  of 
the  whole  group.  In  traversing  the  country  south-easterly 
fh>m  Granite  Point — near  Dead  River,  before  alluded  to — 
the  granite  passes  almost  insensibly  into  a  serpentine  rock, 
which  has  a  regularly  jointed  structure,  sometimes  approach- 
ing stratification  ;  continuing  in  the  same  direction,  is  found 
a  series  of  hornblende  slates,  talacose,  mica  and  clay  slates, 
resting  against  the  serpentine  rocks,  and  still  farther  to  the 
south-east,  the  rock  becomes  almost  uniformly  quartz.  The 
rocks  of  this  group  dip  irregularly  to  the  south  and  south- 
east, while  the  cleavage  of  the  slate  is  very  uniformly  to  the 
north. 

The  rocks  of  the  Metamorphic  group  stretch  into  the  in- 
terior, in  a  south-westerly  direction,  forming  the  soutli- 
jBsterly  part  of  the  hilly  region*  Rocks  referable  to  this 
group  also  occur  upon  the  north  coast  of  Lake  Superior.     ^ 

These  rocks  are  confined  exclusively  to  the  range  of  hills 
Ijring  upon  the  side  cast  of  granitic  rocks,  which  run  south- 
west. The  outline  of  the  Metamorphic  hills  is  less  broken 
than  either  the  granitic  or  trap  ranges,  rising  sometimes, 
however,  in  conical  peaks,  closely  resembling  the  granitic 
rocks.  The  area  of  country  occupied  by  them  is  less  than 
that  of  the  primary  or  trap— the  average  width  not  exceed- 
ing six  or  eight  miles,  and  its  extent  southward  is  unknown. 

It  hen  been  already  stated  that  Chocolate  River  is  the 
boundary  on  the  south-eaBt,  between  these  and  the  Sedimen- 


(    39    ) 


taty  rocks,  and  that  they  extend  in  a  nofth-Westerly  direc 
tion  from  that  stream  six  to  eight  miles,  to  the  granite^ 
against  which  they  rest.  The  group  is  made  up  of  alter- 
nating lines  of  talacose  and  mica  slates,  sometimes  gradu- 
ating into  clay  slates,  with  quartz  and  serpentine  rocks,  the 
quartz  rock  constituting  by  far  the  largest  proportion  of  the 
whole  mass.  Their  cleavage  is  north,  to  north  ten  degress 
west,  with  an  inclination  of  about  eighty  degrees,  the  whole 
appearing  to  dip  to  south-west  and  south.  The  talacose 
slates  and  quartz  rocks  alternate  frequently  with  each  other, 
and  occasionally  with  the  serpentine.  The  quartz  is  dis- 
tinctly granular  in  the  main,  though  sometimes  compact. 

The  rock  denominated  serpentine^  bears  a  close  resem. 
blance  to  greenstone,  and  is  essentially  composed  of  granu- 
lar feldspar  and  hornblende,  with  serpentine  blended. 

This  rock  only  occurs  in  talacose  slate,  as  we  approach 
the  granatic  region,  and  may  be  simple  lines  of  dykes  lying 
parallel  to  the  line  of  cleavage  of  the  slate  rocks.  The 
Metamorphic  are  occasionally  traversed  by  trap  dykes. 

Minerals  of  thk  Metamorphic  Rock. 


Quartz,  Coramoa 
"        Milky 
*'        Greasy 
«        Tabular 

Serpentine,  Common 


Iron,  Scaly  red  Oxide  of 

"      Haematite 

"      Pyritous 
Steatite 
.Novaculite. 


Jfc; 


^i 


i 


I 

.Ms 


'.; 


CHAPTER   V. 


Conglomerate.— ^The  rock  to  which  this  term  is  restricjed, 
does  not  occur  well  characterized  at  any  point  east  of  the 
district  referred  to  as  the  commencement  of  the  trap  group, 
nor  has  it  been  noticed  resting  upon  any  of  either  primary 
or  metamorphic  rocks,  but  is  invariably  seen  resting  up  the 
trap  rock.  Commencing  upon  the  north  side  of  the  trap, 
at  the  extremity  of  Keweenaw  Point,  the  Conglomerate 
flanks  the  trap,  whenever  that  appears,. upon  its  northerly 
aide,  as  far  west  as  the  boundary  of  Michigan,  mouth  of 
Montreal  River :  nor  does  it  stop  there,  but  is  seen  at  inter- 
vals as  far  west  as  the  head  of  Lake  Superior,  and  rests 
upon  the  trap  of  Isle  Royale,  facing  south-east. 


M 


(     60     ) 

In  the  course  of  the  range  of  the  Conglomerate  upon  the 
south  shore,  it  forms  a  nearly  continuous  range  of  hills,  with 
somewhat  steep  escapements,  but  with  a  generally  rounded 
outline.  These  hills  sometimes  rise  to  a  height  of  from 
three  to  five  hundred  feet  above  the  level  of  the  Lake. 

The  Conglomerate  attains  a  very  great  thickness,  which 
is  greatest  at  its  westerly  prolongation,  and  it  gradually  thins 
out  as  we  proceed  north-easterly;  but  the  irregularity  in 
thickness  is  so  very  considerable,  that  variations  of  several 
hundred  feet  are  not  uncommon  within  a  few  miles. 

The  Conglomerate  rock  of  the  south  coast  dips  in  mass 
irregularly  to  tne  north  and  north-west,  while  that  of  Isle 
Royale  dips  to  the  south-east.  There  is  a  mixed  Conglo- 
merate and  Sand  stone  which  rests  upon  the  Conglomerate, 
appearing  in  greatest  thickness  upon  the  west  flanks  of  the 
Porcupine  Mountains,  and  disappears  at  Keweenaw  Point. 

This  name  is  attached  to  the  lower  of  the  sedimentaries, 
which  appears  iavariably  connected  with  or  resting  upon  tha 
trap  rock,  not  having  been  noticed  to  any  extent  in  connec- 
tion with  either  of  the  other  lower  rocks,  for  it  wholly  dis- 
appears as  we  approach  the  granatic  or  metamorpnic  groups. 
Of  all  the  sedimentary  rocks,  this  is  the  most  variable  in 
thickness,  and  not  unfrequently  does  a  few  miles  make  a 
difference  of  several  hundred  feet.  The  Conglomerate  rock 
may,  without  doubt,  be  considered  as  a  trap  tuff,  which  was 
gradually  deposited  or  accumulated  around  the  several  coni- 
cal or  trap  knobs  during  their  gradual  elevation,  and  which 
would  necessarily  occupy  the  complete  spaces  or  valleys 
between  the  several  irregular  ranges  of  knobs  or  hills. 

If  we  regard  this  Conglomerate  rock  in  this  light,  wo 
wiir  at  once  perceive  why  the  rock  should  be  variable  and 
irregular  in  its  thickness.  The  pebbles,  of  which  the  mass 
of  the  rocks  is  composed,  consist  of  rounded  masses  of 
greenstone  and  amygdoloid  trap,  of  which  the  former  make 
up  by  far  tlie  larger  proportion,  and  scarcely  a  pebble  of 
any  other  rock  than  trap  enters  into  its  composition.  The 
pebbles  vary  in  size  from  that  of  a  pea,  to  several  pounds 
weight ;  but  the  average  size  may  be  stated  at  one  and  a 
half  to  two  inches  in  diameter.  The  pebbles  arc  usually 
united  by  a  mixed  calcareous  and  argillaceous  cement,  more 
or  less  coloured  by  iron  :  and  so  firm  is  this  union,  that  the 


(    61    ) 


most  compact  and  tough  of  the  greenstone  pebbles,  will  fre- 
quently break  through  as  freely  as  the  cement,  and  crevices 
and  narrow  veins  are  frequently  seen  passing  indiscriminately 
across  the  pebbles  and  the  cement.  This  fact  is  the  more 
worthy  of  notice,  since  the  pebbles  are  almost  without  ex- 
ception made  up  of  the  hardest  and  most  indestructible  por- 
tions of  trap  rock. 

The  conglomerate  rock  can  scarcely  be  said  to  occur  in 
such  form  as  to  be  well  defined  in  any  portion  of  the  country, 
excepting  upon  the  northern  flank  of  the  outer  trap  range, 
before  referred  to.  On  the  northern  or  outer  side  of  Ke- 
weenaw point,  the  conglomerate  commences  near  the  ex- 
tremity, and  extends  several  miles  westerly,  forming  a  series 
of  abrupt  and  precipitous  cliffs  upon  the  immediate  shore,  as 
also  a  range  of  well  defined  hills,  a  little  in  the  interior, 
which  have  an  elevation  of  from  two  hi;  idred  to  three  hun- 
dred feet.  After  appearing  for  a  few  miles  upon  the  coast, 
this  rock  gradually  stretches  into  the  interior,  following  the 
line  before  described  as  the  most  northerly  bound  of  the  outer 
trap  range  of  hills,  and  invariably  occupying  a  place  to  the 
north  of  this  range,  and  it  may  be  observed,  nearly  or  quite, 
continuously  as  far  as  Montreal  river,  which  stream  it  crosses 
at  a  short  distance  above  its  mouth,  thus  makinjr  its  lenurth 
within  the  limits  of  Michigan,  computing  its  southerly  curve, 
something  over  one  hundred  and  forty  miles ;  but  the  rock 
does  not  cease  at  Montreal  river,  for  it  may  be  seen  at  short 
intervals  in  the  interior  as  far  westerly  as  the  head  of  Lake 
Superior. 

At  the  trap  knob  of  Granite  Point,  the  conglomerate  is 
imperfectly  developed,  but  on  the  south-westerly  side  of  Isle 
Royale  it  is  much  more  perfectly  so,  flanking  the  hills  of 
trap  upon  the  southerly  side.  The  conglomerate  is  imper- 
fectly stratified  in  masses  of  immense  thickness,  and  it  dips 
upon  the  south  shore  of  the  lake  regularly  to  the  north  and 
north-west  (in  conformity  with  the  variation  of  the  trap  hills 
in  their  direction)  and  usually  at  angles  of  thirty  to  eighty 
degrees,  while  upon  Isle  Royale  and  the  north  shore,  the 
dip  is  reversed,  being  south  and  south-easterly,  or  in  other 
words  the  rock  upon  all  sides  dips  in  the  direction  of  the 
lake  basin. 

Upon  the  south  shore  a  little  cast  of  Montreal  river,  thi3 
6 


■if  I 


m 


m 


iJf'l 


i! 


w 


(    62    ) 

rock  was  estimated  to  be  5,260  feet  (nearly  a  mile)  thick,  and 
it  wedges  out  or  thins  so  rapidly,  that  near  its  eastern  pro- 
longation the  estimate  was  1000  feet.  Its  greatest  estimated 
thickness  upon  the  north  coast  was  2,300  feet. 

The  trap  dykes  of  this  rock,  are  usually  parallel  to  the 
line  of  stratification  and  dip,  and  are  from  fifty  to  several 
hundred  feet  thick,  sometimes  continuing  several  miles.  In 
addition  there  are  veins  of  a  more  recent  date  traversing  the 
conglomerate  and  the  dykes  always  at  high  angles  with  the 
line  of  the  conglomerate.  These  last  veins,  which  are  usually 
more  perfectly  developed  near  the  junction  of  the  conglomer- 
ate and  trap,  or  for  a  few  thousand  feet  on  each  side  of  that 
junction,  are  clearly  seen  true  veins  and  are  with  few  unim- 
portant exceptions  the  only  veins  of  this  range  which  are 
metalif^ous. 

For  minerals  of  the  conglomerate  rock — see  "  Minerah 
of  Conglomerate  and  Red  Sand  StoneJ** 


CHAPTER   yi. 

Mixed  Conglomerate  and  Sand  Rock, — ^This  rock  is  made 
up  of  an  alternating  series  of  conglomerate  and  red  sand 
stoiies  which  rest  conformably  upon  the  conglomerate  rock 
last  described,  dipping  with  that  rock  into  the  bed  of  Lake 
Superior.  This  mixed  rock  was  not  noticed  upon  the  north 
side  of  the  lake,  or  upon  Isle  Royale,  but  upon  the  south 
shore  the  rock  was  traced  continuously  for  a  distance  of  about 
one  hundred  and  thirty  miles,  extending  from  a  few  miles 
westerly  from  the  extremity  of  Keweenaw  point,  to  Mon- 
treal river.  It  follows  the  line  of  the  conglomerate  before 
described,  stretching  from  Keweenaw  point  in  a  south-wes- 
terly direction,  and  again  curving  to  the  north-west,  forming 
as  it  were,  a  crescent,  the  result  of  which  is,  the  rock  only 
appears  for  a  limited  distance  upon  the  lake  shore  at  Ke- 
weenaw point. 

From  a  point  eighteen  miles  easterly  of  Montreal  river  it 
wedges  out  or  ihins  rapidly ;  proceeding  west,  and  towards  the 
head  of  the  lake  it  wholly  disappears  or  becomes  merged  in 


^. 


(  63  ) 


[k,  and 
\n  pro- 
tmated 


the  conglomerate  below  and  sand  rock  above.  Its  greatest 
observed  thickness  was  four  thousand  two  hundred  feet. 

The  conglomerate  portion  of  the  mixed  rock  consists  of 
strata  of  conglomerate  varying  from  a  few  feet  to  several 
hundred  feet  in  thickness  and  composed  of  materials  in  all 
respects  resembling  the  constituents  of  the  conglomerate 
rock  already  described,  and  similarly  situated. 

The  sand  stone  portion  of  the  formation  occurs  in  a  strata 
of  very  nearly  corresponding  thickness,  and  the  two  rocks 
may  be  said  to  form  nearly  equal  portions  of  the  mass.  But 
the  material  of  which  this  sand  stone  is  composed  differs 
widely  from  that  of  the  true  sand  rock  lying  above,  for  while 
the  latter  is  chiefly  made  up  of  the  quartz  ore  materials,  the 
former  is  composed  of  materials  bearing  a  close  analogy  in 
composition  to  those  of  the  conglomerate  rock  itself;  or  in 
other  words,  the  sand  stone  consists  chiefly  of  green  stone  so 
much  comminuted  as,  when  cemented,  to  compose  a  coarse 
sand  stone.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that  the  members  of  this 
formation  differ  only  in  the  degrees  and  fineness  of  the  ma- 
teria], and  the  character  of  this  material  will  explain  suffi- 
ciently why  the  true  conglomerate  and  the  mixed  rocks  are 
referable  to  the  same  origin,  for  the  materials  of  the  several 
members  of  the  group  have  their  origin  from  the  trap  rock, 
and  as  a  whole,  may  perhaps  be  regarded  as  a  trap-tuff. 

The  coarser  conglomerate  of  the  formation  is  scarcely 
separated  by  lines  of  stratification,  and  the  strata  appears 
usually  in  mass,  embraced  between  the  strata  of  sand  stone, 
but  the  stratification  of  the  latter  rock  is  perfect,  and  it  bears 
evidence  of  having  been  deposited  in  shoal  water,  in  the  very 
abundant,  perfectly  defined  ripple  marks  which  it  exhibits 
through  its  complete  range.  No  fossils  were  noticed  in  con- 
nection with  either  the  mixed  rock  or  conglomerate  lying 
below  it. 

Dykes  of  green  stone  occasionally  appear  in  the  mixed 
rock,  but  less  frequently  than  in  the  rock  below.  These 
dykes  almost  invariably  occupy  places  between  the  strata  of 
the  rock,  and  correspond  in  position  to  the  direction  and  dip 
of  the  rocks  by  which  they  are  embraced,  or  in  other  words, 
the  rocky  matter  composing  the  dykes  appears  to  have  been 
injected  in  a  plane  corresponding  with  that  of  the  stratifica- 
tion of  the  embracing  rock.     As  in  the  conglomerate  below, 


fl: 

Hi  J 


n 


m 


i 


(    64    ) 


these  dykes  have  produced  very  great  changes  in  the  colour 
and  structure  of  the  mixed  rocks  bounding  them  on  either 
side. 

In  addition  to  these,  the  mixed  rock  is  occasionally  (though 
less  frequently  than  the  rock  below)  traversed  by  veins  or 
cross  courses  of  a  more  recent  origin  than  the  dykes  (which 
latter  they  usually  cross  at  a  high  angle,)  their  course  being 
usually  at  an  angle  of  sixty  degrees  opposed  to  the  line  of 
bearing  of  the  mixed  rock.  These  cross  veins  are  usually 
made  up  of  a  calcareous  spar  or  a  sub-granular  lime-stone, 
and  more  rarely  of  some  variety  of  quartz  and  imperfect  trap 
rock,  the  latter  usually  of  the  amygdaloid  variety. 

For  minerals  of  the  mixed  conglomerate  and  sand  rock, 
see  Minerals  of  the  Conglomerate^  Mixed  and  Red  Sand  Stone. 


red 

are 

that 

botl 

the 


CHAPTER   VII. 

Red  Sand  Stone  and  Shales. — This  rock  and  its  accom- 
panying red  and  gray  shales  occupies  a  much  larger  extent  of 
country  bordering  upon  Lake  Superior,  than  any  other  single 
rock  or  group  of  rocks.  It  rests  upon  the  primary  and  me- 
tamorphic  rocks,  immediately  west  from  Chocolate  River ; 
upon  the  conglomerate  and  mixed  rocks,  from  near  Eagle 
River,  of  Keweenaw  Point,  west  to  the  head  of  Lake  Supe- 
rior ;  upon  the  primary  trap,  metamorphic  and  conglomer- 
ate rocks  of  the  north  shore  of  the  lake,  and  upon  the  con- 
glomerate rock  of  Isle  Royale.  It  is  this  rock  which  forms 
the  basis  of  the  level  plateaus,  or  valleys,  occupying  the 
spaces  between  the  several  ranges  of  hills  south  from  Lake 
Superior,  and  west  from  Chocolate  River.  In  these  last  situ- 
ations this  rock  is  frequently  seen  undisturbed  to  surround 
the  basis  of  isolated  knobs  of  granite,  though  when  near  to, 
or  in  contact  with  knobs  of  trap,  there  are  invariably  evi- 
dences of  very  great  disturbance.  The  rocks  of  this  group 
are  thickest  at  their  westerly  prolongation,  thinning  out  as 
they  proceed  easterly. 

With  the  exception  of  that  portion  of  the  coast  from  Point 
Iroquois  to  Grand  Island,  the  predominating  rock  upon  the 
immediate  coast,  both  on  the  south  and  north  shore,  there  is 


(    65    ) 


colour 
either 

though 
leins  or 
[(which 
being- 
liine  of 
[isually 
-stone, 

it  trap 

rock, 
Stone. 


3com- 
ent  of 
single 
d  me- 
liver ; 
Gagle 
§upe- 
)mer- 
con- 
brms 
r  the 
Lake 
situ- 
)und 
r  to, 
evi- 
oup 
t  as 

oint 
the 

B  is 


red  sand  stone,  for  even  the  primary  trap  and  conglomerate 
are  almost  invariably  skirted  with  it.  It  is  over  this  rock 
that  the  waters  are  discharged  at  the  Sault  St.  Mary.  On 
both  the  north  and  south  shores  this  rock  invariably  dips  into 
the  lake. 

This  is  the  chief  rock  that  appears  upon  the  immediate 
coast  of  the  south  shore  of  Lake  Superior,  and  it  may  be 
said,  almost  the  complete  coast  of  the  lake,  f'^  coasting 
westerly,  from  Grand  Island  to  the  head  of  the  lake,  one 
would  imagine  he  had  seen  little  else  than  red  sand  stone, 
and  in  fact,  were  he  to  confine  his  examinations  to  the  shore 
alone,  would  see  no  other  rock  for  nineteen-twentieths  of  the 
distance.  It  is  the  only  rock  seen,  in  place,  from  Grand 
Island  to  Chocolate  River ;  and  from  Chocolate  River  to 
Keweenaw  Point,  embracing  the  complete  width,  of  the  pri- 
mary, metamorphic,  and  trap  ranges — the  hills  forming 
these  groiips  are  almost  invariably  surrounded  or  flanked 
at  their  bases  with  this  sand  rock,  so  that  even  along  this 
portion,  the  hills  are  cut  off  from  the  lake  by  a  narrow  belt 
of  it ;  and  northerly  from  Keweenaw  Point  to  the  head  of 
the  lake,  no  other  rocks  appear  upon  the  coast,  except  a  few 
trap  dykes  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Porcupine  Mountains,  and 
of  Iron  and  Black  rivers,  and  a  more  recent  deposit  of  clay 
and  sand  west  of  Keweenaw  Point.  It  is  also  the  southerly 
side  of  Isle  Royale. 

The  materials  of  which  this  rock  is  composed  differ  widely 
from  that  of  the  sedimentary  rocks  described ;  for  while  they 
are  made  up  of  materials  clearly  of  trappean  origin,  in  which 
is  very  rarely  quartz,  this  under  consideration  is  composed 
of  materials,  the  predominating  portions  of  which  are  clearly 
derived  from  the  granitic  and  metamorphic  rocks,  in  which 
quartz  is  abundant,  though  with  this  there  is  usually  associ- 
ated more  or  less  sand,  that  has  all  the  characteristics  of  the 
comminuted  trap,  constituting  that  portion  of  the  mixed 
rock  before  referred  to.  Magnetic  iron  sand  sometimes  be- 
comes a  constituent  of  the  red  sand  rock,  and  occasional 
continuous  strata  of  several  inches  thickness,  are  almost 
wholly  composed  of  this  material.  The  components  of  this 
rock  are  usually  cemented  by  calcareous  matter,  highly  col- 
oured by  the  peroxyde  of  iron,  firequently  associated  with 
argillaceous  matter. 


&: 


tri 


,  (I 


Sfc 


1^ 


■M 


i 


m 


u 


m 


(  e<i  ) 


While  the  chief  mass  of  t'ae  rock  is  a  conrse  grained  and 
somewhat  compact  sand  rock,  there  are  portions  of  the  for- 
mation where  there  are  well-formed  red  and  gray  flags,  and 
red  and  green  shales,  forming  as  it  were  beds  of  a  very  con- 
siderable thickness,  and  occupying  large  districts  of  country. 
These  red  and  green  shales  are  more  largely  developed  in 
that  district  extending  from  Granite  Point  westerly  to  Ke- 
weenaw Bay,  and  upon  the  south  shore  of  Keweenaw  Point, 
extending  from  the  head  of  the  bay  to  near  the  extremity  of 
the  point,  and  largely  developed.  These  shales  more  usually 
occur  in  alternating  bands  of  deep  red  and  green  colours, 
the  red  greatly  predominating,  and  thus  arc  made  up  of  ar- 
gillaceous matter  of  sand,  the  whole  material  being  of  ex- 
treme fineness. 

On  the  south  side  of  Keweenaw  Bay,  near  its  head,  an 
argillaceous  rock  appears  and  extends  for  a  short  distance 
along  the  coast,  which  is  an  anomaly.  The  rock  is  evident- 
ly embraced  in,  or  rather  may  b  j  said  to  constitute  a  mem- 
ber of  the  sand  stone  series,  but  it  differs  widely  from  any 
other  rock  seen  in  connection  with  it.  It  sometimes  appears 
in  the  form  of  a  slate,  though  usually  a  compact  strata,  fre- 
quently of  several  inches  in  thickness,  closely  resembling 
indurated  clay.  Innumerable  strata  or  thin  layers  compose 
the  mass,  being  of  different  colours,  red,  gray,  dark  brown, 
alternating  in  the  same  hard  specimen. 

Its  material  possesses  an  extreme  degree  of  fineness,  and 
is  so  sofl  as  readily  to  be  cut  with  the  knife,  rendering  it  a 
material  from  which  the  Indians  have  long  manufactured 
pipes.    It  is  too  soft  for  use  in  sharpening  tools. 

The  rocks  belonging  to  the  red  sand  stone  formation,  bear 
the  evidence  of  having  been  deposited  almost  universally  in 
shoal  water,  for  the  ripple  marks  occur  abundantly  at  all 
points  where  the  rock  takes  on  the  decided  character  of  sand 
rock,  and  these  ripple  marks  may  frequently  be  seen  for 
many  miles  together,  as  clearly  and  distinctly  defined  as  they 
are  in  many  of  the  shoal  bays.  Fossils  are  rare  in  these  red 
sand  rocks.  .  j  ;    ,- 

This  rock  is  less  frequently  traversed  by  dykes  of  trap  than 
either  of  the  rocks  described,  though  dykes  sometimes  trav- 
erse the  whole  of  the  several  rock  formations  up  to  and  in- 
cluding the  red  sand  stone.    Upon  portions  of  the  north 


(    67     ) 


ex- 


coast,  where  conglomerate  and  mixed  rocks  are  more  fre- 
quently wanting,  and  where  the  red  sand  stone  is  brought 
more  nearly  in  ccntact  with  the  trap,  these  dykes  are  of  more 
frequent  occurrence.  It  is  deserving  of  remark,  where  the 
lower  rocks  are  either  in  part  or  wholly  wanting,  the  red 
sand  stone  usually  becomes  of  a  deep  brown  colour,  and  the 
material  of  which  the  sand  is  composed,  gradually  changes 
from  that  before  described  to  green  stone. 

The  Sand  Rock. — It  has  been  estimated  that  at  its  west- 
erly prolongation,  the  sand  rock  attains  a  thickness  of  6,500 
feet,  gradually  diminishing  to  the  St.  Mary,  where  it  com- 
paratively runs  out.  The  red  also  thins  out  proceeding 
southerly  or  inland  from  the  coast,  at  a  more  rapid  rate  than 
the  fifteen  feet  to  a  mile  allowed  the  sand  rock,  as  was  most 
satisfactorily  shown  when  connected  with  the  several  pri- 
mary, metamorphic  and  trap  ranges  of  hills,  for  all,  or  near- 
ly all  the  valleys  after  passing  the  outer  northerly  range  of 
trap  hills  are  based  upon  this  sand  rock,  and  since  we  have 
every  reason  to  believe  that  this  sand  rock  was  deposited  in 
part  during  the  gradual  elevation  of  the  several  chains  of 
hills,  it  would  follow  that  over  these  districts  which  were 
least  elevated  the  rock  would  attain  its  greatest  thickness. 

The  red  sand  rock  south  of  Lake  Superior,  as  well  as 
upon  the  immediate  const,  dips  regularly  northward,  while 
that  upon  the  north  coast  dips  invariably  southerly,  or,  as 
has  been  already  said  of  the  lower  rocks,  this  rock  dips  reg- 
ularly upon  all  sides  into  the  basin  of  the  lake,  being  in- 
creased however  in  quantity  as  it  approaches  the  primary  and 
metamorphic  ranges.  The  line  of  cleavage  of  some  of  the 
members  of  the  lower  sand  rock  and  shales  is  frequently 
irregular,  and  opposed  to  the  true  stratification  of  the  rock. 


ill 


i 

i 
f-tf 


k 


m 


MINERALS  OF  THE  CONGLOMBUATE,  MIXED  AND  RED  SAND  ROCK, 

Calcareous  Spar.  Copper,  Native.*  ^ 

Quartz,  Common.  *'        Pyritous.* 

"      Milky.        ..  "    Blue  Carbrnate  cf.* 

"       Drusy.     '  '  •'       Green        "       '•*  ,<'  ^ 

Chalsedony  (occasionally.)     "  Earthy*  Iron  Pyritous    '     ", 

Cornelian  (do,)  «'        Black.*  "     Black  Ox.  of  ' 

Jaspar  (in  conglomerate.)     Zinc,  Siliceous  Ox.  of.     Red  Ox.  of 
Aagate  (do.)  "     Carbonate  of."      "      Hydrate  of, 

"     Siliceate  of. 
*  Chiefly  iu  veins  traversing  the  conslomcratc. 


(    68     ) 


The  Upper,  or  Gray  Sand  Rock.  This  is  the  only  re- 
maining rock  which  separates  the  red  sand  rock  from  the 
hmestone  lying  south.  It  is  a  gray  or  brownish  sand  rock, 
almost  wholly  composed  of  quartz  grains  usually  feebly 
cemented  with  calcareous  matter,  in  which  it  differs  from  the 
red  sand  rock,  as  well  as  in  epoch  of  disposition,  and  should 
not  be  confounded  with  it.  Besides,  while  the  red  sand 
rock  dips  regularly  northerly,  this  gray  sand  rock  dips  as 
regularly  southerly,  conforming  to  the  limestone  resting  upon 
it,  while  itself  resting  upon  the  uplifted  southern  edge  of  the 
red  sand  rock  below. 

From  Point  Iroquois  it  stretches  westerly,  in  an  elevated 
and  regular  chain  of  hills,  to  Taqaaimenon  Bay,  westerly 
from  which  the  shape  of  the  coast  is  such  that  these  hills  do 
not  again  appear  upon  it,  until  we  reach  that  precipitous 
portion  of  the  lake  coast  known  as  the  Pictured  Rocks, 
where  the  effects  of  waves  and  frosts  upon  its  feebly  cement- 
ed materials  have  left  portions  in  overhanging  precipices,'  by 
the  destruction  and  removal  of  weaker  and  less  resisting  por- 
tions, creating  caverns  and  domes,  both  grand  and  fantastic. 
From  the  Pictured  Rocks  the  hills  composed  of  this  stone 
stretch  off  to  the  south-west,  passing  entirely  south  of  the  pri- 
mary trap  and  metamorphic  regions  to  a  distance  unknown. 

This,  like  the  lower  sand  rock,  abounds  in  ripple  marks, 
and  its  line  of  cleavage  regular  and  frequently  opposite  the 
line  of  stratification,  passing  over  considerable  districts  of 
country.  Two  indistinct  species  of  fucaides  were  the  only 
fossils  found.  The  estimated  thickness  at  the  Pictured 
Rocks  was  700  feet,  thinning  out,  like  the  oMiers,  towards 
the  east. 

Tertiary  Clays  and  Sands. — Stratified  clays  and  sand 
are  seen  at  many  points,  and  continue  for  long  distances 
upon  the  coast  of  Lake  Superior,  and  they  are  largely  devel- 
oped at  many  points  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  which 
sometimes  attain  a  thickness  of  200  or  300  feet,  and  are 
spread  over  the  less  elevated  portions  of  the  district,  being, 
in  many  instances,  the  covering  of  the  rock  forming  the  val- 
leys and  plateaus,  and  sometimes  forming  tiie  lake  shore. 


^ 


o. 


(    69    ) 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


MINERAL    VEINS. 


[It  will  be  necessary  to  keep  the  I'elation  which  the  rocks  and  veins 
traversing  them,  have  to  each  other,  constantly  in  view.} 

Veins  are  intersected  with  other  veins,  and  sometimes  with 
veins  of  other  metals  at  both  acute  and  right  angles.  Two 
hnes  approaching  each  other,  generally  have  a  large  deposit 
at  their  confluence.  It  is  a  good  sign  if  the  branches  or 
lodes  enlarge  in  width  or  depth,  but  bad  if  they  are  horizon- 
tal or  rising.  It  is  a  sign  of  a  poor  vein  if  it  separates  or  di- 
vides into  strings  and  sharp  extremities.  It  is  even  a  worse 
sign  when  a  vein  descends  perpendicular,  than  when  it  runs 
horizontal.  Copper  will  pay  for  working  when  only  six 
inches  wide,  and  Tin  when  only  three  inches  wide,  in  the 
Cornwall  mines.  The  richest  depth  for  Copper  Ore,  in 
mines  which  have  been  worked,  has  been  found  to  be  from 
40  to  80  fathoms  (from  20  to  60  for  Tin,)  although  great 
quantities  may  be  raised  at  80  to  100  fathoms,  yet  the  quali- 
ty decreases  and  the  Ore  is  too  apt  to  be  decayed.  The 
veins  of  the  Cornish  mines  run  East  and  West  varying  some 
15  degrees.  The  veins  of  Lake  Superior  run  N.  E.  and  S. 
W.  with  slight  variations. 

True  Veins. — The  northwesterly  range  of  hills,  commenc- 
ing at  the  extremity  of  Keweenaw  point  and  stretching  in  x 
S.  W.  direction  into  the  iitterior,  are  more  clearly  of  the 
trappose  origin  than  either  of  the  other  ranges,  and  the  rock 
of  the  southerly  portion  of  ihis  range  is  greenstone,  while 
that  of  the  northerly  flank  is  almost  invariably  cither  uii 
amygdaloid  or  a  rock  approaching  to  ioad  stone. 

So  far  as  the  hills  lying  south  of  this  northerly  ranffo  are 
concerned,  they  would  appear  to  be  as  a  whole,  deficient  in 
minerals  and  the  rocks  are  not  apparently  intersected  by 
veins  or  dykes  of  any  more  recent  date  than  that  of  the  up- 
lift of  the  northerly  trap  hills,  near  the  Lake. 

Veins  of  a  date  posterior  to  the  uplift  of  t!>c  trap  rock  last 
mentioned,  are  of  frequent  occurrence,  and  traverse  a  jiortion 
of  the  trap  range,  pass  into  the  conglomerate  and  sometimes 
completely  acnjss  the  three  sedimentary  rocks,  immediately 
above  the  trap,  for  an  unbroken  length  of  f^everal  miles,  rare- 
ly varying  more  than  12  or  '5  degrees  from  a  right  angle  to 


fh 


m 


f* 


(    ^/o    ) 

the  course  of  the  sedimentary  rocks,  cutting  across  the  dyke 
and  conforming  to  the  dip  of  the  sedimenta.y  rocks.  These 
veins  all  belong  to  a  single  epoch  and  must  be  regarded  as 
Tru:  Veins,  and  all  carry  the  same  mineral  contents;  and, 
from  examinations  it  is  confidently  believed  that  most  if  not, 
all  the  metalliferous  veins  of  the  upper  peninsular  or  Lake 
Superior  region  belong  to  the  epoch  of  those  under  consid- 
eration. It  is  true,  native  metals  (particularly  copper,)  are 
found  in  places  in  the  greenstone,  but  the  quantity  is  small 
and  almost  always  may  be  traced  to  a  connection  with  met- 
alliferous veins  in  the  vicinity. 

Native  Copper  in  very  thin  plates  was  occasionally  no- 
ticed as  occupying  the  joints  of  the  greenstone  of  Isle  Roy- 
ale,  though  in  small  quantities,  but  the  veins  so  far  as  exam- 
ined there,  are  less  perfectly  developed  in  their  passage 
across  the  conglomerate,  and  very  rarely  contain  any  traces 
of  Zinc. 

In  speaking  of  the  greenstone.  Dr.  Houghton  say?,  "  I  not 
only  include  the  true  greenstone,  but  also  those  altered  forms 
of  gneiss  and  gneissoid  granite  which  are  sometimes  associ- 
ated with  it,  while  the  outer  or  northerly  portion  of  the  same 
range  is  usually  composed  of  an  amygdaloid  form  of  trap." 


ev-S' 


CHAPTER    IX. 


I  R  K  E  G  U  L  A  R P  ALSE    VEINS. 

After  perusing  the  following  cliaptef;  the  reader  will  have 
perceived  that  the  condensations  from  Dr.  Houghton's  re- 
port ceaEcd  with  the  last,  which  treoted  of  Regular  Veins. 

I  write  this  chapter  in  the  hope  of  inducing  more  thorough 
examination  and  minute  investigation  into  Iirvgular  Veins. 
The  great  bane  and  loss  in  mining  operations  is  the  vast 
amounts  exp(Mi(li)d  and  thrown  nway  upon  irregular,  or  false 
veins,  which  proceeds  from  lack  of  power  or  knowledge  to 
decide  between  true  and  false  ones.  This  the  reader  may 
call  a  "  conglomerate"  chapter,  if  he  will.  Jf  the  suggestions 
it  contnins  shall  induce  investigation  of  the  subj<'Cl,  their  ob- 
ject will  i)e  fulfilled,  whatever  may  be  thought  of  their  j^/</- 
losopliif  or  orthodoxy — against  any  arraignment  for  eitlai, 


(  ''I  ) 


I  here  enter  my  caveat,  that  one  possibility  is  just  as  good 
as  another,  in  defining  the  probable  resuhs  of  an  indemon- 
strable proposition. 

Where  veins  intersect  the  lake's  shores,  they  are  almost 
invariably  marked  by  the  appearance  of  the  white  spar  cov- 
eriflg,  which,  in  many  instances,  are  several  feet  wide,  and 
may  be  traced  \by  the  eye  into  the  water  thirty  to  forty  feet 
in  depth.  Several  of  these  wider  ones  occur  between  Cop- 
per and  Eagle  Harbours,  in  which,  when  the  spar  has  been 
removed,  b(>ulders  and  ragged  deposites  of  native  copper 
have  beennfound  of  various  sizes.  And  from  one  on  the 
conglomerate  edge  of  the  shore,  on  Lease  15,  belonging  to 
the  Boston  Company,  I  saw  already  taken  out,  two  pieces 
of  native  copper,  one  weighing  800  lbs.,  the  other  some 
60  lbs.,  which  'vere  cut  off  with  chisels  and  sledge  ham- 
mers from  an  embedded  sheet,  four  inches  tliick  at  the  place 
of  detachment,  leaving  the  imagination  to  fix  its  own  esti- 
mate of  tue  quantity  or  extent  of  that  portion  remaining  in 
the  vein.  Scientific  men  have  heretofore  contended  that 
native  copper  existed  only,  disseminated  and  as  boulders — 
here,  at  least,  it  appears  in  a  sheet,  but  to  what  extent,  can 
only  be  determined  by  working. 

In  some  of  these  veins,  as  at  Agate  Harbour,  different 
kinds  of  ore,  or,  1  think,  different  stages  of  advance  from  ore 
to  native  copper,  are  found — such  as  the  mother  of  ores, 
glaus,  green  carbonate,  and  black  sulphuret,  all  taken  from 
the  same  vein.  This  vein  and  the  one  from  which  the  na- 
tive copper  spoken  of  above  was  taken,  are  but  one  mile 
apart. 

Native  silver  and  native  copper  are  often  taken  out  attach- 
ed to  each  otiier.  Some  of  tiie  veins,  by  the  reports  of 
analyzers,  have  a  preponderance  of  silver  over  the  copper 
from  tlie  same  vein  or  rock.  See  Dr.  Jackson's  report  of 
tlio  Eagle  River  vein. 

Trrcgidar  veins  are  of  very  frequent  occurrence  ns  well 
upon  the  surface  as  below  it,  which  often  present  the  best 
appearances,  and  afford  specimens  very  likeiy  to  deceive  the 
novice  in  exploring  and  mining.  Tliere  may  be  injections 
into  a  crevice  only,  wiiich  extend  but  a  short  way  in  depth 
or  length  ;  and  though  well  filled  while  the  cone  ra*«ed  by 
the  irtcrior  pressure  continued,  and  during  which,  all  the 


! 


11 


¥ 


-H 


m 


■''111 

-;Ji 


lUsl 


m 


'■ti 
vli 


*->t| 


(     "ri     ) 


crevices  were  wide  below  in  proportion  to  their  depth,  and 
would,  had  this  great  cone  held  its  apex  attitude,  been  well 
filled  veins,  no  doubt  leading  to  large  depositee  like  true  veins  ; 
but  by  the  subsequent  action  they  are  not ;  for  that  cone's 
fallen  and  depressed  apex  is  now  the  synclinal  axis  of  Lake 
Superior,  to  which  the  strata  around  it  dip.  When  the  gas 
by  which  it  had  been  swelled  forth  found  vent  and  escaped, 
it  carried  forth  in  the  explosion  tlijse  boulders  of  primitive 
rock  and  native  metal  found  in  all  directions,  and  then,  fol- 
lowing, forth  rushed  the  conglomerate,  and  foug^d  its  level 
aixjund  the  trap  hills,  which,  with  fire  above  and  fire  beneath, 
were  softened — then  it  was  amygdaloid,  greenstone  and  trap 
were  blended,  and  then  was  the  native  copper  disseminated 
— more  in  some  places  than  in  others,  according  to  the  heat 
and  supply  of  the  ore.  The  apex  or  cone  raised  by  distend- 
ing the  earth,  unsupported  at  the  escapement  of  the  cause, 
gradually  settled  back,  sinking  lower  and  lower  as  the  inte- 
rior heat  and  pressure  r.bated,  and  the  matter  in  cooling  con- 
tracted, closing  first  upon  the  surface,  and  shutting,  as  they 
descend,  the  seams  and  crevices  opened  by  the  expansion. 
The  closing  of  those  seams,  veins,  or  crevices,  in  this  way, 
compressed  and  forced  down  their  contents  as  far  as  they 
closed.  Failing,  however,  to  resume  their  places,  in  many 
instances,  have  left  lo  unknown  depths  true  veins,  defined 
by  the  wall  rocks,  which,  though  showing  they  have  been 
rent  asunder,  are  al&o  smoothed  by  the  action  of  heat.  In 
some  instances,  there  is  but  one  defined  wall  rock,  whi.'e  th« 
other  side  is  filled  with  native  copper,  disseminated  through- 
out, as  at  tiie  deep  shaft  of  tiic  Eagle  River.  In  other  cases, 
as  in  the  Pittsburgli  Company's  drift,  three  miles  back  of 
Eagle  River,  both  sides  are  workable,  and  the  metal  is  dis- 
seminated in  the  general  rock,  showing  that  the  rock  had 
been  so  heat  id  as  to  either  take  up  tin;  copper  when  coming 
in  contact,  or  to  smelt  such  portions  of  the  ore  as  it  might 
have  possessed  in  its  organization,  the  latter  of  which  is 
rather  sustained  by  the  frequent  occurrence  of  toadstu.  . 
showing  that  something  has  passed  away  as  a  gas.  By  this 
it  will  be  readily  seen  why  miners  follow  a,  vein  that  widens 
as  it  descends,  even  though  no  ore  be  immediate'v  found, 
and  discard  a  vein  that  contracts,  or  runs  up,  or  t  jU  hori- 


-IV( 


atuil 
of 

liiOll 

thisl 
posl 


(   rs   ) 


Kontal.  Their  experience  has  taught  them  the  results  to 
expect. 

1  have  no  doubt  that  we  have  samples  of  the  inner  coat- 
ing of  the  earth  which  is  next  and  in  contact  with  the  inte- 
rior fire  or  latent  heat,  presented  in  the  lavas  thrown  forth, 
but  changed  in  quality  and  appearance  by  the  great  heat 
they  are  subjected  to  in  their  passage  ;  a  heat  much  more 
intense  than  that  of  the  heated  matter  of  the  interior,  which 
certainly  is  not  ajlame,  but  probably  a  dull  latent  fire ,,  draw- 
ing sufficient  of  oxygen  from  the  earth  to  keep  it  like  coals 
imbedded  in  a  grate,  and  which  glow  on  the  admission  of 
the  air. 

This  may  reasonably  be  supposed  to  be  the  state  of  the 
interior  fire  until  an  active  property  is  added.  There  is  but 
one  active  property  which  can  reach  this  fire  that  will  make 
it  the  active  cause  sutficicnt  to  produce  the  effects  presented 
in  earthquakes  and  volcanoes,  which  property  must  be  oxy- 
gen. There  is  a  certainty  that  the  supply  of  oxygen  must 
como  from  accident  too,  or  there  would  be  a  periodical  suc- 
cession of  these  eftects,  which  is  not  the  case,  but  whose  oc- 
currence irregularly,  shows  their  origin  to  be  dependant  upon 
au  accidental  su|)j)ly  of  something  necessary  to  the  eftects 
witnessed.  Tliere  is  but  one  way  this  property  necessary  to 
combustion  can  be  accidentally  furnished,  and  it  is  this  : — 
''he  best  esiiaiates  make  the  earth  or  shell  over  this  latent 
iiio  ten  mih.s  thick.  >vhich  in  proportion  t(,  the  size  of  the 
globe,  (som«;  eight  thousand  miles  in  diameter)  is  quite  a 
♦hin  lind,  and  composed  too,  of  particles  constantly  changing 
their  position,  as  the  globe  changes  its  shape,  through  which 
are  distributed  veins  of  various  sizes  carrying  water.  The 
particles  of  matter  forming  the  globe  are  continually  chang- 
ing their  position,  from  the  tendency  which  their  weight 
'^ives  them  towards  the  equater,  (like  clay  upon  the  potter's 
•sipindle,)  the  globe  thereby  enlarging  at  the  equater  and  flat- 
tening at  the  poles,  a  process,  whose  results  already  have 
enabled  the  vision  to  range  sixty  miles  within  the  polar  cup; 
and,  by  the  enlargement  of  the  equator  and  preponderance 
of  weight  on  the  periphery,  instituted  n  third,  or  oscillating 
motion  north  and  south,  known  as  the  sun's  declination.  In 
this  gradual  and  imperceptible  movement  of  the  matter  com- 
posing this  rind  or  skin,  over  the  interior  fire,  it  sometimes 


\s 


If 


* 


(     74     ) 


■'•.'W 


W 


will  occur  that  one  of  these  veins  of  water  in  it  will  be  open- 
ed upon  this  interior  world  of  latent  fire,  and  the  active  pro- 
perty necessary  to  combustion  is  thereby  fiirnished.  This 
vein  does  not  furnish  sufficient  to  extinguish,  it  only  feeds. 

A  kind  of  iiiHamraation  commences,  and  the  supply  of  oxy- 
gen in  the  water  continuing,  active  heat  and  fire  are  pro- 
duced. The  disease  increases  and  follows  up  the  stream  it 
feeds  upon  enclosing  its  way  in  its  melting  rocks  and  tak- 
ing new  supplies  from  otiier  streams  it  meets  with  ;  and 
thus  proceeding,  opens  at  length  to  some  fountain,  which, 
pouring  down  its  waters  too  copious  to  be  consumed,  arc 
changed  to  sttam.  That  steam,  increasing  and- expanding, 
must  escape.  The  column  of  the  entering  water  is  exerci- 
sing a  hydrostatic  power  strong  as  the  surrounding  rocks 
themselves  ;  the  steam  increases  and  expands  till  the  rocks 
split  to  their  foundations; — the  earth  swells  forth:  —  its 
weight  compresses  the  steam  for  an  instant : — the  uplift  set- 
tles b;'ck  jrackiiii;  and  breaking  in  all  directions.  If  these 
throes  shall  dam  up  or  cut  off  the  supply  of  water,  and  after  a 
partial  escapement,  leave  a  circumscribed  and  steady  supply, 
the  interior  inflammation  of  the  region  will  have  an  issue  called 
a  volcano.  The  mountains  are  raised  and  may  remain  or 
partially  s^ett'e  back.  But,  if  tlie  supply  continues  upon  the 
fire,  the  gas  vill  jifcnerate  and  expand,  the  earth  still  con- 
tinues to  swell  forth,  opening  wide  interior,  and  raising  the 
apex  of  the  cone  at  every  succeeding  expansion  of  the  in- 
creasing power,  t'll,  breaking  through,  tho  humid  steam  first 
shoots  up  a  cloud  filled  with  dust  and  ashes,  followed  by  in- 
tensely heated  matter,  composed  of  contributions  from  the 
c'iTere,''  strata  it  has  made  its  way  through  to  the  surface  ; 
there  tiie  oxy^jow  of  the  atmosphere  rushes  to  it  and  gives 
the  outixxirinj^  ^^ass  a  blazing  glow.  Into  the  vacuum  thus 
formed,  the  distended  cone  settles  back, — perhaj)s  gradually, 
— maybe  quickly,  drawing  the  dip  of  surrounding  strata  to 
an  axis.  This  may  be  so,  or  it  may  not  be  so.  I  have 
never  seen  such  opcraHoiis — only  the  effects.  Who  will 
suggest  a  better  way  of  doing  a  large  job  of  strata  f)iling, 
mountain  and  valley,  earth{|uake  and  volcano  makino? 

Should  it  be  that  the  different  ores  are  distribute«l  pro- 
miscuously through  the  interior  of  the  earth,  in  horizontal 
layers  or  strata  of  various  thickness  and  at  difiercnt  depths. 


't%« 


( 


4  0 


) 


!  open- 
re  pro- 

This 
eeds. 
ofoxy- 
re  pro- 
ream  it 
nd  tak- 
L  ;    and 
which, 
led,  arc 
anding, 
exerci- 
g  rocks 
le  rocks 
li :  —  its 
Dhft  set- 
If  these 
\  after  a 
supply, 
le  called 
main  or 
ipoii  the 
till  con- 
.shij;  the 

the  in- 
L'ain  ^irst 
d  bv  in- 
tVom  the 
surface ; 
.lid  gives 
lum  thus 
nulually, 

strata  to 

I  have 
Vho  will 
ta  piling, 

ited  pro- 
lori/ontal 
it  depths, 


we  may  begin  to  account  for  native  metals,  or  those  found 
in  such  purity  as  to  be  called  so.  These  ores  being  soft  and 
earthy  in  their  beds,  are  carried  up  by  the  first  escaping  col- 
umn; some  ejected  in  the  explosion  as  dry  dust,  other  por- 
tions, smelted  in  their  passage,  thrown  forth,  cooled,  form 
the  boulders ;  other  portions  in  their  liquid  state  run  into  cav- 
ities or  cooUng  in  the  seams  remain,  showing,  that  in  their 
particular  cases,  the  necessary  heat  and  accompaniments  for 
smelting  the  ore,  had  somewhere  combined.  In  other  in- 
stances where  the  combination  was  less  perfect,  other  states 
of  purity  are  presented,  as  the  boulders  of  black  oxyde,  hav- 
ing 70  to  80  per  cent  copper;  and  the  sulpturets  and  sul- 
phates all  indicating  different  degrees  of  perfection  in  the 
action  which  the  ore  has  undergone. 

The  reader  who  is  opposed  to  theories,  may  say  this  di- 
gression is  a  "  foohsh  philosophy,"  and  has  nothing  to  do 
with  mininnf.  But  from  what  I  have  seen  of  the  mines  and 
veins,  I  am  of  opinion  it  will  be  found  worth  thinking  upon 
by  all  "cxpZorers,"  and  "prospectors." 

Were  this  the  proper  place,  I  would  like  to  carry  this 
theorising  a  little  further,  and  endeavour  to  show,  as  I  be- 
lieve, that  this  world  has  undergone,  and  will  again,  changes 
in  its  Jiature,  cohstitution^  and  power  of  production,  of  not 
only  animal  but  vegetable  organizations,  involving  causes 
and  effects,  in  whose  history  our  system  of  geology  is  the 
record  of  the  things  of  yesterday,  and  that  the  prophet 
Daniel's  "  Overturn  !  Overturn  !  Overturn  !"  three  times 
repeated,  had  a  meaning  in  natural  philosophy  which  the 
Schools  do  not  teach,  or  the  Savans  understand  in  this  day, 
viz: — that  the  oscillations  of  the  globe,  from  the  enlarge- 
ment of  the  equator,  and  flattening  of  the  poles,  will,  in 
12,000  years,  as  the  Hindoos  say,  change  Us  axis,  which 
will  undoubtedly  be  known,  as  it  wos  to  Noah,  seven  years 
ahead,  by  the  immense  ratio  of  the  yearly  increase  of  the 
arc  described  upon  the  heavens,  and  marked  by  the  heavcndy 
bodies,  as  the  sun's  delineation,  when  the  consummation 
approaches.  Also  show,  that  Daniel's  "  time,  times  and  a 
half  time,"  and  *'  restoration  of  all  things,"  waa  a  part  of 
the  same  subject,  and  would  require  the  time  of  two  and 
a  half  changes  of  axis,  or  the  great  Egyptian  cycle  of 
30,000  years,  which  would  restore  places  and  limbs  of  the 


i 


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(     76     ) 

earth  to  their  positions  of  latitude  and  relation  to  the  planets 
geocentrically,  which  they  had  occupied  at  the  commence- 
ment of  that  cycle,  when  the  earth  would  probably  be  a 
perfect  globe,  and  the  sun  have  no  declination.     Further, 
that,  at  each  of  these  changes  of  the  axis  of  the  globe,  the 
earth,  or  rind  often  miles  thick,  is  liable  to  be  *'  burned,  and 
not  consumed,"  by  the  rushing  in  of  sufficient  water  and  air 
to  extend  the  combustion,  till  the  rind  or  earth  breaks  in  by 
continents,  and  the  whole  be  changed  by  fire ;  when  she 
will  lose  her  electricity  and  magnetism,  (from  over  heat, 
as  a  magnetic  needle  will,)  and,  consequently,  her  atmo- 
sphere and  motion,  and  be  like  the  moon,  a  cold,  dead  body 
— a  sort  of  balance-weight  receiver  of  the  surplus  magnetism 
of  the  overcharged  members  of  the  system,  and  giving  it  to 
the  negative  as  they  approach  her  in  their  orbits ; — ("  that 
time  no  man  knoweth,  not  even  the  angels  in  heaven  ;") — 
until  after  an  "eternity,"  from  the  surplus  moieties  at  times 
retained,  her  magnetism  or  life  may  be  vicuperated,  and.  in 
proportion  will  motion  on  her  axis  return;  with  motion, 
proportionate  atmosphere  will  again  come ;  with  atmosphere, 
humidity  and  temperature : — these  will  act   upon,  change 
and  decompose  the  surface ;  her  eternity  is  passed — time 
and  vegetation  commence ;    stinted  and  sickly  shrubs,  at 
first,  as  on  she  rolls,  turning  her  equator  to  the  sun,  in  time 
will  become  trees ;  and  magnetism  is  busily  at  work  the 
while,  assorting  to  their  different  spheres  and  places,  the 
materials  of  the  different  rocks  and  metals,  and  preparing 
ingredients  for  living  organic  productions,  perhaps  only  to 
he  originated  when  the  sun  has  no  declination  ;  and  when 
there  would  be  no  variation  of  the  magnetic  needle,  from 
either  "  terrestrial "   causes  in  changes  of  axis   changing 
the   lines  of  circulation  of  thf  fluid :  or  from   "  celestial " 
causes  in  the  varied  positions  of  the  planets  in  their  orbits, 
unequally  charged  ;   and  which  harmonious  recurrence  may 
have  formed  the  Egyptian   cycle   of  30,000  years.     Those 
who  think  Moses  wrote  of  "  the  beginning  "  without  under- 
standing his  suoject,  or  that  Daniel  spake  without  a  mean- 
ing, can  have  little  or  no  idea  of  the  wisdom  of  the  Egyp- 
tian magicians,  ^^men  of  science,)  whose  store-house  of  science, 
learning  the  arts,  was  the  pyramids,  which,  when  opened 
1300  years  ago,  contained  innumerable  specimens  of  now 


lo 
a 

St 
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a 
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(    77    ) 


lost  arts,  as  "  glass  that  would  bend  without  being  broken," 
— ^the  written  history  of  the  world,  "  sealed  up  to  the  end" — 
a  written  out  system  of  astronomy — the  names  of  the 
stars,  and  how  they  moved  in  their  courses — the  various 
medicines  and  poisons,  and  how  they  operated.  For  a  minute 
account  of  which,  see  "  Description  of  the  Pyramids  of 
Egypt,  by  John  Greaves,  Professor  of  Astronomy,  Oxford," 
published  1646 — which  work  is  supposed  to  have  originated 
with  King  James  I.,  of  England,  called  the  "  learned  fool," — 
who,  while  Prince,  travelled  in  Egypt,  Arabia  and  Persia, 
having  with  him  Mr.  Greaves,  in  whose  name  this  book, 
containing  descriptions,  measurements  and  drawings  of  the 
pyramids,  was  published. 

But ! — my  enduring  reader,  these  are  matters  a  long  way 
from  Lake  Superior,  and  the  Copper  Mines,  and  this  is  a 
book  of  facts — not  theories ;  yet,  if  you  shall  find  yourself 
next  season,  as  a  Tourist  or  Explorer,  in  that  land  of  the 
"  mountain  and  flood,"  where  Summer's  sunset  hours  are 
farther  up  the  arch  of  night,  than  in  the  latitude  you  left, — 
if  there,  far  from  society  and  social  haunts,  by  your  camp- 
fire  musing,  or  climbing  some  mountain-peak,  observe  the 
stars  wending  their  way  through  space,  and  then  remember 
these  suggestions  upon  the  destiny  of  worlds — may  they  in- 
duce a  wider  range  of  thought,  and 

*       "  Leid  thy  will  submissive  to  great  Nature's  laws — 
Admire  effects — and  knom  they  have  a  cause. 
7# 


M 


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(  "«  ) 


tf 


MISCELLANEOUS. 


WORKING   COMPANIES. 

LAKE  SUPERIOR  MINING  CO. 

Eagle  River. 

Charles  H.  Gratiot  is  the  agent  and  naaiiager.  This  is 
the  Pioneer  Company  in  working,  followed  closely,  however, 
by  the  Pittsburgh.  This  company  have  one  shaft  about 
one  mile  back  from  the  river  of  eighty-five  feet  deep  with 
drifts  from  it ;  also  five  others  of  various  depths  from  twelve 
to  forty  feet.  They  have  a  drift  started  into  the  hill 
from  the  bed  of  the  creek  at  a  lower  altitude  than  most 
of  their  shafts,  which  may  be  made  an  adit  if  necessary  in 
future.  They  have  about  thirty  buildings  in  all  upon  their 
location,  and  one  hundred  and  forty  men  and  women,  and 
children  in  numbers.  They  have  a  stamping  machine  driven 
by  water,  with  sieves  and  washers  attached.  Their  saw-mill 
is  down  within  eighty  rods  of  the  lake.  Piles  of  ore,  esti- 
mated at  twelve  hundred  tons,  broken  up,  lay  abojt  and 
look  like  the  prepared  stone  for  McAdamizing.  The  veins 
are  native  copper  disseminated,  and  silver  is  represented  to 
be  more  than  usually  abundant  in  this  vicinity,  but  in  what 
degree  or  quantity  over  what  is  often  found  in  metahferous 
veins  remains  for  working  and  extracting  to  determine. 
Great  regularity  prevails  here,  considering  there  is  no  law, 
and  every  thing  manifests  that  energy,  industry  ana  capital 
are  uniting  their  etforts.  The  width  of  these  veins  cannot 
be  determined  with  accuracy — the  whole  depth  of  the  deepest 
shaft  showed  but  little  or  no  demarkation,  as  the  copper 
seemed  distributed  in  all  directions  throughout  the  rock. 
This  company  have  sent  down  4,573  lbs.  of  extracted  native 
copper.  The  amount  sent  forward  is  no  criterion  to  judge 
their  works  by.  They  have  made  large  expenditures  and 
yet,  although  they  have  large  quanthies  of  broken  rock  ready 
for  crushing,  they  did  not  get  their  machine  ready  till  very 
late,  and  although  it  has  cost  dearly  in  transportation,  dec, 


-jf 


(     '■9     ) 


it  does  not  perform  the  work  estimated  or  required.  But 
improvements  will  continue  to  be  made  in  all  these  matters, 
and  ultimate  profits,  I  doubt  not,  will  pay  present  losses, 
emanating  from  a  want  of  knowledge  and  experience  in  the 
business. 

The  rock  of  these  works  is  the  amygdaloid,  containing 
disseminated  globules  and  leaves  of  native  copper  and  silver. 
Sometimes  silver  and  copper  are  found  in  the  same  <;Iobule. 
The  vein  is  represented  by  Dr.  Jackson  to  be  elevtn  feet 
wide  and  traceable  for  a  mile.  It  is  my  o])inion  thr.t  there 
is  no  clearly  defined  vein  eleven  feet  wide — I  think  liie  uh^ie 
rock  of  the  vicir  jf  these  shafts  contains  disseminated  me- 
tals and  may  be  worjied,  a  circumstance,  however,  not  pe- 
culiar to  this  particular  place.  I  think  the  same  fact  exists 
on  many  of  the  neighbouring  locations.  But  none  of  the 
locations  are  yet  explored  to  any  extent. 

The  following  statements  of  the  richness  and  value  of  the 
Eairle  River  Ore,  are  from  Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  : — 

Analysis  of  loOO  grains  of  the  Rock. — Silver  from  the 
metals,  114  grs.  49  pwt.'s;  copper,  27.51 ;  silver  from  the 
washed  ore, 3.75;  copper,90.35.  Amount  of  silver,  118.24; 
do.  of  copper,  162.SG.  Refined  or  pure  silver  obtained  by 
reduction  of  the  chloride  114.5  grs. 

The  analysis  above  detailed  gives  the  quantity  of  silver  in 
a  ton  of  the  rock — 152.G6 — valued  .it  $20  per  lb.  av. 
$3,053  20.  A  ton  of  the  rock  contains  203.57  of  copper, 
valued  at  16  cents  per  lb.;  value  of  one  ton  of  the  rock, 
$3,036  77. 

The  above  was  Dr.  Jackson's  first  report.  The  following 
one  was  subsequently  made,  I  believe  at  a  session  of  Philo- 
sophers in  New  Haven  ; — 

In  a  ton  of  the  rude  ore  as  delivered  by  the  miner  at  the 
pit  bank  on  Eagle  River  there  is  the  following  per  centage  : 

Of  silver  - $87,25 

Of  copper 42,10 

Total ^129,35 

And  in  a  ton  of  the  ore  as  delivered  at  Boston  there  is 
$508  worth  of  silver  and  over  $200  worth  of  copper ;  so 
that  it  is  more  properly  a  silver-  mine  llian  a  copper  mine  ; 
17  \hs.  9  oz.  of  the  clean  metal  was  obtained  from  50  lbs.  of 


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the  ore,  by  careful  assay.  50  His.  of  copper  ore  gave  1 1  lbs. 
4  oz.  ill  large  pieces  of  copper  and  silver,  besides  the  wasli- 
ings  ;  and  an  assay  of  that  yielded  603  grains  of  pure  silver, 
or  equal  to  23  2-tOths  of  silver  to  a  ton  of  ore. 


PITTSBURGH  COMPANY. 

The  Pittsburgh  Company  is  located  at  Copper  Harbour, 
under  the  management  of  Dr.  William  Pettit,  general  agent 
for  their  several  works  in  operatioj:.  —At  this  place,  on  Lease 
No.  4,  on  Lease  No.  5,  on  the  lake  west  of  Eagle  River, 
and  on  Lease  No.  1*2,  adjoininj;  ir. 

Lease  No.  4  covers  Copper  If  arbour,  Porter's  Island,  and 
Manganese  Lake.  They  have  erected  seven  or  eight  good 
log  building:!,  including  storehouse,  blacksmith  shop,  &,c. 
The  vein  they  are  working  runs  west  of  soulh  from  the  har- 
bour, where  it  first  appears  in  the  conglomerate  at  the  water's 
edge,  some  eight  ieet  wide  of  spar,  and  thence  to  Lake  Fanny 
Hoe  80  rods  south.  Again  it  appears  in  the  mountain  oppo- 
site. Upon  the  high  ground  back  from  the  bay  some  50  rods, 
is  a  shaft  14  feet  deep,  which  seemed  to  be  on  a  branch  rather 
than  the  vein,  the  ore  in  it  being  only  five  or  eight  inches 
wide,  and  inclining  much  to  the  west.  About  ten  rods  east- 
erly of  this  shaft,  was  one  34  feet  d('e|),  which  was,  instead 
of  a  regular  shaft,  a  ♦'  lining  up"  of  the  crevice  between  ihe 
wall  rocks,  which  pitched  to  the  east.  This  opening  was  '20 
feet  long  at  top,  and  the  walls  aj)|>r(>aehed  at  the  time  of  their 
pitch  within  18  inches  of  each  other,  but  w  idened  below; 
rather  a  tight  squee/.e  to  pass  in  the  ore  tubs,  although  they 
were  well  grra.«ed  with  mud.  The  drifting  below  is  along 
this  crevice,  fi-om  which  the  famous  black  oxyde  of  the  Pitts- 
burgh Co.  is  taken,  and  from  which  it  is  raised  by  "Jack" 
6l  Co.  for  $50  per  to!>.  Jack  failing  in  his  contract  when- 
ever a  **  liorae"  comes  in,  and  workinir  by  the  month  till  it  is 
removed,  when  he  again  contr  ;ets ;  •)f  winch  he  informed  me 
confidentially,  as  I  was  looking  for  a  "job,"  which  he  took 
the  liberty  of  inferring  from  my  dress  and  use  of  miners' 
phrases,  as  well  as  willingness  to  go  down  in  the  "tub," 
which  soft  chithes  and  sort  nerves  arc;  not  prepared  for.  To 
be  suspended  in  "  a  hole  in  the  ground,"  80  feet  deep, 


.* 


1 1  lbs. 
wash- 
silver, 


irbour, 
|1  agent 
Lease 
River, 

kI,  and 
it  good 
p,  Sec. 

le  Iiar- 
kvater's 
Fanny 

I  ()p])o- 
0  rods, 

rather 
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if  tlicir 
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li  they 
nlong 

Pitts- 
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kvhen- 

II  it  is 
L'd  me 
5  took 
iners' 
tub," 

To 
Jeep, 


(     8J     ) 

—to  hear  the  click  of  the  hammers  and  drills  below  you, 
and  have  it  seem  as  if  you  never  would  reach  the  bottom, 
and  twice  as  long  in  going  up,  is  rather  squeamish  at  first, 
but  **  nothiitg  when  you  get  used  to  it.**  A  third  shaft, 
80  feet  deep,  is  20  rods  further  south  on  this  vein,  at  the 
bottom  of  which  the  "drift**  is  more  west.  In  reaching  this 
depth,  red  sandstone  was  passed  for  a  considerable  portion 
of  the  descent,  and  from  thence  the  drifting  for  the  vein, 
which  wns  just  beginning  to  yield  again.  A  gang  is  also 
now  at  work  upon  probably  the  same  vein  a  little  west  of 
south  from  this  shaft,  in  tlie  mountain  side  across  the  lake, 
where  I  think  the  work  sliould  have  been  begun,  and  all  the 
expenditures  made  in  driving  **  drifts**  at  different  altitudes 
into  the  niountain*s  side,  as  this  company *s  su{)eniitendent 
back  of  Eagle  River,  Mr.  Jennings,  is  now  doing.  From 
the  deep  shaft  it  is  20  rods  to  Luke  Fanny  Hoe,  which  is 
very  deep,  and  bold  banks,  probably  a  perpendicular  wall, 
towards  which,  80  feet  from  the  surface,  the  south-westerly 
drift  is  progressing,  and  must  tiiere  stop. 

Extract  from  Stccktoti'a  Report. 
"  A  vein  of  copper  has  recently  been  opened  on  Keweenaw  Point, 
near  Fort  VVilkins,  which  has  already  yielded  several  tons  of  ore; 
specimens  of  which  have  been  submitted  to  Dr.  Houghton,  state 
geologist  of  Michie;an,  who,  by  analysis,  has  found  it  to  contain  from 
seventy  to  seventy-four  per  cent,  of  copper.  Specimens  of  the  same 
ore  have  also  been  subjected  to  analy.sis  by  Dr.  M'CUntock,  assayer  of 
the  United  States  mint  at  Philadi'lphia;  and  the  result  of  the  exami- 
nation appears  from  the  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  M'Clin* 
tock  to  William  Pettit,  M.D.,  who  has  kindly  furnished  it  for  my  use: 

*  Having  f«»und  leisure,  since  the  receipt  of  your  letter  through  Dr. 
Jones,  to  make  an  analysis  of  the  copper  ore  from  Lake  Superior,  to 
which  it  refers,  it  afl'ords  me  great  pleasure  to  transmit  the  result 

•  100  parts  of  the  ore  contains  of — 
Silex  .         .     700 

Metallic  Copper  70*00  ' 

Oxygen       .        .  1750 

C  "JSl  carb  acid  ^  ^^'  according  to  Klaproth, 
Carb.  Acid,&c.  550=:  \  ,.«,.  f.   !:  *      *  ^-ll.l  carbonic  acid, 

I  1  oU  water  J  ,  o-.       » 

*^  ( 137  water. 

*•  The  mass  of  the  ore  is  a  peroxide  of  copper,  producing  a  rich  blue 
colour  with  at^ua  amraoni?,  which  the  protoxide  taib  to  do.  The  blue 
carbonatr  of  copper  constitutes  but  a  small  portion  of  the  specimen, 
and  seems  to  dip  into  its  interior.  The  carbonates  always  contain  a 
portion  of  water,  and  you  will  therefore  find  the  latter  estimated  with 
the  carbonic  acid,  &,r.,  r>r)0  being  the  ab»ent  part$  ;  and  no  trace  of 
•ulphur  having  been  discovered,  they  arc  assumed  to  have  been  the 


(    82    ) 

carbonic  acid  of  the  blue  carbonate,  and  the  water  neccsaarily  associ- 
ated with  it. 

"  I  send  you  the  pure  metallic  copper  precipitated  from  a  solution 
of  50  grains  parts  ol  the  ore  ;  it  weighs  35  grains  parts,  and  is  there- 
fore equal  to  70  parts  in  100. 

•*  The  absence  of  iron,  sulphur,  &c.,  adds  greatly  to  the  value  of  the 
ore,  by  rendering  the  smelting  much  easier,  and  insuring  a  better  article 
when  smelted."     Dated  February  4,  1845. 

Leases  No.  5  and  12,  belonging  to  this  company,  are  on 
the  lake  shore  immediately  joining  and  west  of  Eagle  River, 
and  under  the  sub-management  of  Mr.  Joseph  Hussey,  who 
has  commenced  building,  &<;.,  on  No.  12,  but  to  what  extent 
he  has  progrcs.«ed  I  did  not  learn.  The  veins  upon,  this 
location  are  said  to  be  good,  corresponding  with  tiiose  opened 
in  the  region  east  and  back  of  them,  on  the  other  Pittsburgh 
Lease  No.  5,  and  Albion  Ticase  No.  10. 

Lease  No.  5  is  under  the  sub-management  of  Mr.  R.  Jen- 
nings— is  three  miles  back  from  Eagle  River,  to  which  a 
waggon  road  is  made,  which  attains  an  altitude  in  this  dis- 
tance of  300  feet  above  the  lake  Here  arc  fine  substantial 
log  buildings  of  good  sixr,  blacksmith  and  cooper's  shop,  &-c. 
The  vein  is  native  copper,  disseminated  in  amygdaloid  trap, 
and  runs  perpendicular  with  N.  W.  and  S.  E.  course  or 
nearer,  perhaps,  N.  and  S.  into  a  prrcipilous  hill  300  feet 
high,  upon  the  top  of  which  the  work  was  formerly  com- 
menced with  a  shaft,  but  which  Mr.  J.  abandoned  on  taking 
charge,  and  proceeded  to  open  drifts  at  three  different  alti- 
tudes into  the  hill  horizontally,  which,  when  necessary,  will 
be  connected  by  ventilating  shafts.  The  "  ofiitl  rock"  from 
these  drifts  is  thrown  off  a  barrow  run,  and  the  ore  sent  down 
in  a  chute.  This  vein  was  working  very  fine,  three  feet  wide 
where  I  saw  it,  and  presented  appearances  of  being  dissemi- 
nated throughout  the  rock.     Ore  sent  produced  33,577  lbs. 


NEW    YORK   AND    LAKE    SUPERIOR    MINING    COMPANY. 

At  Dead  River^  Agate  Harbour  and  Eagle  R'wer^ — 
Edward  Larned  is  general  agent,  and  Charles  Larned  is 
the  sub-agent  and  manager  at  Dead  River.  He  has  seven- 
teen persons,  fifteen  men  and  two  women.  These  are  Eng- 
lish and  Irish.     The  overseer  i^  a  Cornish  miner,  who  seems 


(  P'J  ) 

to  understand  his  business.  They  Imve  erected  five  log 
buildings,  including  a  storehouse  and  blacksmith's  shop,  and 
a  root  house. 

Their  buildings  and  shaft  commenced,  are  on  the  north 
end  of  the  point  near  the  north  bay,  and  on  the  west  side 
of  the  river.  Their  shaft  is  opened  considerably  above  the 
lake  from  which  the  hills  rise  back.  Mr.  Lamed  went  on 
with  his  men  about  the  fifth  of  October  last,  and  had  put  up 
his  buildings  and  worked  but  five  days  at  the  siiaft,  when  I 
was  there,  October  '28i\u  The  shaft  commenced  here  is 
upon  a  lead  vein,  from  whicli  they  took  three  tons  in  the  five 
days  they  had  worked. 

The  harbours  of  this  place  1  have  described  before.  The 
river  is  a  rapid  river,  (not  dead)  affording  beautiful  falls  and 
scenery  in  its  cotirse,  and  water  power  at  hand,  though  for 
a  short  distance  afiording  a  good  place  for  vessels,  if  the 
mouth  shall  have  the  sand  bar  removed.  The  country  is 
hilly  in  the  rear,  with  good  valleys,  furnisihing  maple,  oak, 
ash,  bass-wood,  pine  and  birch.  Of  the  two  last  they  burn 
their  charcoal.  This  location  is  represented  by  Professor 
F.  Sheperd  to  contain  copper  and  silver,  but  it  has  not  been 
thorouirhly  explored. 

Adjoining  this  on  the  west,  and  belonging  also  to  the  N. 
Y.  and  L.  S.  M.  Company,  covering  Pres(pje  Isle,  is  Lease 
No.  20.  The  rock  is  granite  as  at  Granite  Point,  thrown 
up  through  the  red  sand  stone  which  appears  at  Garlic  River 
three  miles  west  in  clilVs,  but  generally  forms  the  plateaus 
between  the  granite  hills,  which  snein  to  have  thrust  them- 
selves up  through  it.  No  ores  except  iron  and  zinc  are 
found  in  sand  stone  strata ;  but  copper  is  usually  found  in 
the  granite  abuve  and  at  their  junction. 

Same — Agate  Harbour. — This  place  h  also  described 
in  coasting,  and  is  covered  by  Lease  No.  18,  belonging  to 
this  company.  The  sub-agent  at  this  place  is  Mr.  Marlet, 
and  Mr.  Ilitchings  conducts  the  mining  operations.  There 
are  at  this  place  twenty-five  men,  four  women,  a  number  of 
children,  to  whicli  was  added  a  native  Irishman  in  the  first 
week.  They  have  erected  since  their  comn»cncement  on 
the  29th  September  last,  five  conunodious  log  houses,  inclu- 
ding store  house  and  blacksmith's  shop,  a  root  house  or  cel- 
lar above  ground,  twenty-four  by  sixteen,  and  sunk  one  shall 


(    84     ) 

forty-five  feet,  and  another  twenty-two  feet.  The  building 
and  vein  are  on  the  outer  neck  of  land,  or  conglomerate  rock 
which  covers  the  eastern  end  of  the  harbour,  near  half  a 
mile  from  its  extremity.  The  vein  was  opened  at  the  lake 
bank,  by  sinking  a  shaft,  which  is  the  forty-five  feet  one. 
The  spar  vein  of  the  surface  was  about  18  inches  in  width 
at  starting.  The  spar  continues  to  its  present  depth,  afford- 
ing  a  green  sulphuret.  The  wall  rocks  have  gradually  divi- 
ded since  passing  the  conglomerate  of  the  surface,  and 
which  filled  the  depressed  line  of  the  vein.  Quantities  of 
what  is  termed  the  mother  of  ores  has  been  raised,  with  green 
and  black  sulphcret  and  spar.  About  thirty  rods  S.  W.  from 
this  shaft  another  is  sunk  upon  the  vein  at  a  point  where  an 
E.  and  W.  vein  intersects.  The  conglomerate  was  passed  at 
about  nine  feet,  and  the  wall  rocks  of  the  two  veins  were 
but  a  few  inches  apart,  in  which  was  again  found  the  mother 
of  ores,  green  sulpheret  nnd  spar  together  ;  and  when  down 
twenty  feet  the  wall  rocks  began  to  separate,  and  a  black 
sulpheret  was  found.  The  E.  and  W.  vein  being  about  ten 
inches,  the  N.  and  S.  about  five  at  this  point,  we  took  n 
double  handful  of  the  black  sulphcret,  which  was  of  dark 
marly  appearance,  and  like  black  eorth,  which  we  put  in 
an  iron  melting  ladle  sat  upon  the  forge  fire  and  covered  over 
with  charcoal ;  it  melted  and  poured  off  (what  did  not  escape 
through  the  pores  of  the  ladle,)  yielding  a  piece  of  copper 
the  weight  of  a  cent.  From  this,  others  can  judge  its  rich- 
ness as  well  as  I  can.  They  have  here  two  cows,  pigs, 
poultry,  and  all  that  is  necessary  for  pushing  their  works 
rapidly.  There  are  several  veins  on  this  location,  a^.xd  two 
shafls  have  been  sunk  on  a  vein  running  into  the  hill  across 
the  bay,  but  which  were  abandoned  on  commencing  opera- 
tions on  the  pcnisula.  I  think  this  last  vein,  which  is  in  the 
trap  rock,  might  be  traced  to  the  neighbouring  hills,  and 
worked  by  drifts  to  greater  advantage  than  putting  down 
shafts  on  the  low  altitudes.  This,  like  all  of  the  other  loca- 
tions of  this  company,  has  not  been  thoroughly  explored. 
Even  Shooneaw  Lake,  one  mile  back,  is  dlfTiciilt  to  find. 

Lease  No.  31,  on  Eagle  River,  belongs  to  this  company, 
and  is  under  the  sub-agency  and  management  of  3Ir.  Bur- 
chard.  This  location  is  on  the  east  branch  of  Eagle  River,  and 
the  wagon  road  from  Eagle  Harbor  to  Copper  Falls  has 


(     85     ) 

been  extended  west  to  Mr.  B.'s  place  of  operations.  He 
went  on  with  supplies  and  fifteen  men  on  the  12th  Oct.,  and 
on  the  25th  had  his  road  made  and  buildings  well  advanced. 
The  works  on  this  location  will  be  in  the  same  range  of  trap 
hills  with  the  Copper  Falls'  works.  This  company  also 
hold  Leases  No.  32  and  17,  which  are  next  south  of  Copper 
Harbour,  and  bordering  on  the  south  on  Keweenaw  Bay, 
and  through  which  the  Little  Montreal  river  runs  to  the  Baye 
Bris.  Neither  these  nor  their  other  Leases,  Nos.  19,  22, 23, 
at  the  raouth  of  the  Montreal  River,  are  yet  worked. 


THE  ISLE  ROYALE  COMPANY. 

Cyrus  Mendcnhall  is  agent  and  manager.  They  have 
Leases  Nos.  16  and  27,  east  from  Copper  Harbour  v.'!iich 
is  No.  4.  Mr.  Mendenhali  has  been  at  work  nearly  the  whole 
summer,  with  from  four  to  seven  men,  and  now  has  ten. 
This  location  is  composed  of  conglomerate  ridges  next  the 
lake,  with  granite  breaking  through  in  small  knobs  and  hills. 
He  has  three  small  buildin<i's  near  a  little  land-locked  boat 
harbour  cut  in  the  conglomerate  shore  by  the  action  of  the 
lake.  He  has  sunk  at  this  place  a  shaft  forty-five  feet  deep 
in  the  trap  rock,  obtaining  some  green  sulphurcts,  but  on  the 
whole  thus  far  without  finding  any  quantity  of  value,  but  a 
gradual  increase  in  the  indications  as  the  shaft  descends, 
and  which  undoubtedly  would  lead  to  ore,  but  nt  what  depth, 
l)erscverance  alone  can  determine.  While  I  was  nt  Copper 
Harbour,  a  new  vein  of  native  copper  wjis  brought  to  Mr. 
Mendenhairs  Iwowledge  by  a  soldier  of  the  garrison,  on  the 
award  of  Col.  Todd  and  Capt.  Albcrtis,  who  gave  the  sol- 
dier, after  examining  the  vein,  for  finding  it,  $50  cash,  and 
$500  to  be  paid  from  the  first  product  of  the  vein.  This 
vein  I  examined  in  company  with  Mr.  Mendcnhall  and  Geo. 
N.  Saunders,  Esq.  The  native  copper  makes  its  appear- 
ance in  a  thin  sheet  widening  inwards.  Its  outer  edge  was 
the  eighth  of  an  inch,  but  I  have  a  piece  broke  out  with  a 
hammer,  three-fourths  of  an  inch.  It  presents  itself  tInoin;li 
a  crack  or  vein  in  one  of  the  trap  knol)s  of  a  hill,  100  rods 
south-west  from  their  present  works,  which  conieH  through 
the  conglomerate  covering  of  the  surface  of  this  vicinity, 
8 


j'S 


(    S6    ) 

This  vein  Mr.  M.  intended  to  commence  upon  as  soon  as  he 
could  erect  his  permaneiit  buildings,  which  he  is  doing  near 
the  eastern  extremity  or  arm  of  Copper  Harbour,  on  an  inlet 
of  which  he  has  this  season  raised  potatos,  turnips,  &c.,  and 
which  will  produce  good  hay.  This  company  have  also 
Lease  No.  17,  wiiose  north-east  corner  joins  the  south-west 
corner  of  Lease  No.  4,  (Copper  Harbour)  which  is  a  very 
hilly  location,  and  its  south-east  corner  cuts  upon  Kewee- 
naw Bay — Lease  24  which  is  seven  miles  up  the  Montreal 
River,  Lease  25,  five  miles  up  the  Montreal  River,  Leases 
28  and  29,  on  the  Montreal ;  for  these  locations  men  witJi 
provisions  went  up  very  lately,  merely  to  hold  and  "  pros- 
pect." 


EAGLE  HARBOUR  COMPANY. 

At  Eagle  Harbour. 

This  Company's  location  is  on  Lease  No.  3 ;  Mr.  Sprague 
is  Agent  and  Manager  of  the,  work.  He  has  twelve  men — 
has  been  lately  erecting  buildings,  and  preparing  for  future 
operations.  The  vein  is  in  the  Trap  River,  immediately 
on  the  South  shore,  100  rods  west  of  the  Harbour.  Here 
are  two  or  three  shafts,  and  the  deepest  is  33  feet,  in 
sinking  which,  he  thinks  he  has  obtauied  sufficient  ore  to 
pay  for  the  work.  The  product  is  native  copper  dissemi- 
nated in  trap,  and  similar  to  that  obtained  at  Copper  Falls 
three  miles  back.  Mr.  S.  has  all  that  is  necessary  to  pro- 
ceed vigorously  with  his  work  this  winter ;  there  is  a  good 
water  fall  one  mile  back.  They  are  intending  to  lay  out  a 
village  plat  here  next  spring,  and  erect  a  ]fublic  house.  It 
is  a  first  rate  harbour,  and  a  beautiful  site  for  a  town.  This 
place  will  probably  do  the  commercial  business  fur  the  adja- 
cent country,  including  Eagle  River. 


THE    COPPER    FALLS    COMPANY. 

Mr.  Childs  is  Agent  and  Manager  of  this  work.  Their 
location  is  Lease  No.  8.  It  is  three  miles,  and  a  good  wagon 
road,  back  from  Eagle  Harbour.  Mr.  C.  has  erected  six 
log  buildings.    He  has  turned  the  course  of  a  small  stream, 


(     W'     ) 

and  commenced  on  the  vein  in  its  bed,  drifting  into  a  liill 
on  an  altitnde  of  100  feet  from  the  base,  and,  I  suppose, 
300  feet  above  the  Lake.  The  product  of  this  vein,  which 
is  two  feet  wide,  is  native  copper  disseminated  in  amygda- 
loid trap.  The  spar,  and  other  similarities,  would  indicate 
it  the  same  vein  that  Mr.  Sprague  is  working  at  Eagle  Har- 
bour, or  the  one  being  worked  at  Grand  Marias,  by  the 
North  Western  Company.  It  is  from  this  place  the  road  is 
continued  by  the  New  York  Company,  to  their  works  on 
Lease  No.  3L 


THE    BOSTON   COMPANV. 

Two  miles  East  of  Agate  Harbour. 

Joseph  Hempstead  is  Agent  and  Manager  of  their  works, 
which  are  on  Lease  No.  15.  Tliis  Hcs  upon  the  Lake  shore, 
next  east  from  Agate  Harbour.  He  has  erected  five  first 
rate  commodious  log  buildings,  and  has  a  force  of  twelve 
men.  His  buildings  are  two  miles  east  of  Agate  Harbour, 
and  100  rods  from  the  Lake.  The  land  falls  from  his  build- 
ings south  to  a  beautiful  little  Lake^  half  a  mile  long,  eighty 
rods  wide,  at  each  end  of  which,  up  and  down  the  valley, 
are  fine  beaver  meadows  of  black  alluvial  deposit.  One 
mile  west  from  his  buildings  is  a  native  copper  vein,  from 
which,  next  the  Lake,  was  cut  and  blasted  off  a  piece  of 
pure  copper,  which  U}  on  the  bank  when  I  was  there,  weigh- 
ing probably  800  poui.ds,  and  another  of  60  pounds;  the 
first  was  three  feet  long  by  eighteen  inches  wide,  and  eight 
inches  thick.  It  was  rather  an  oval  form,  and  the  wide  end 
thickest.  This  Company  also  own  Leases  No.  13  and  14,  on 
the  south-eastern  extremity  of  Keweenaw  Point,  but  are  not 
working  them.  There  is  a  most  perfect  natural  road  from 
this  place  to  Agate  Harbour,  running  upo.^  a  conglomerate, 
flat  ridge,  smooth  and  level. 


i 


4a 


>\ 


BOHEMIAN    COMPANY. 

Back  of  Agate  Harbour, 

S.  Mendlehaum  is  the  Manager  and  Agent  of  this  Com- 
pany, which  is  working  on  Lease  No.  35.     The  location 


(    88    ) 

joins  its  uorth-west  corner  to  the  south-east  corner  of  Agate 
Harbour.  The  works  of  this  Company  are  on  the  head 
waters  of  Little  Montieal  River,  in  the  amygdaloid  trap, 
al)out  half  a  mile  south  of  Musquito  Lake — a  Lake  two 
miles  long,  with  a  handsome  island  in  its  east  end.  He 
had  a  company  of  men,  on  the  20th  October,  making  a 
road  to  Agate  Harbour,  and  putting  up  buildings,  and 
making  preparations  for  wint€r*s  work. 

Ore  taken  from  the  vein  at  the  first  blast,  is  certified  by 
Dr.  C.  T.  Jackson  to  yield  twelve  and  a  half  per  cent,  cop- 
per from  the  crude  rock  of  the  vein  ;  which,  he  represents, 
as  similar  in  all  respects  to  the  veins  of  the  Eagle  River 
vicinity,  except  that  the  globules  are  fewer  and  larger. 


NORTH  WESTERN  COMPANY. 

At  Grand   Marias   Harbour, 

Mr.  Bailey  is  Agent  and  Manager  for  this  Company, 
which  is  located  upon  the  peninsula,  on  the  eastern  side  of 
Eagle  Harbour,  which  also  forms  the  west  side  of  the  Grand 
Marias  Harbour.  Mr.  B.  had  just  commenced  his  buildings 
on  the  east  side  of  the  peninsula,  when  I  was  there  on  the 
]8th  of  October.  He  had  seven  men,  and  provided  with 
all  the  necessaries  to  proceed  to  mining  when  his  buildings 
should  be  finished.  The  vein  on  which  operations  will  be 
commenced  has  been  opened  with  blasts,  and  looks  well 
upon  the  surface.  The  mineral  is  the  native  copper  dis- 
seminated in  the  trap,  as  upon  the  west  side  of  Eagle  Har- 
bour.    Its  width  appears  about  the  same. 

The  fact  is,  it  is  very  difiicult  to  determine  the  width  of 
these  veins  of  native  copper  disseminated,  for  throughout 
this  whole  region,  the  dissemination  extends  into  what  is 
generally  called  the  wall  rock,  while  the  spar  and  vein  stones 
in  the  conglomerate  define  the  width. 

Half  a  mile  back  from  Grand  Marias,  is  Island  Lake, 
which  is  one  and  three-quarters  of  a  mile  long  east  and 
west,  and  a  half  to  three-quarters  of  a  mile  wide,  with  an 
island  in  it  formed  of  conglomerate  rock,  and  bearing  a  few 
trees 

I  have  left  off  the  mineral  map,  the  dividing  line  between 


igate 
head 
trap, 
two 
He 
ing  a 
aud 

id  by 


(    89    ) 

the  west  hne  of  Lease  No.  18,  and  the  west  line  of  Lease 
No.  9.  My  reason  for  so  doing,  is  that  there  is  a  claim  be- 
fore the  Commissioners  for  the  Grand  Marias,  or  a  strip 
covering  the  vein,  which  is  resisted  by  the  Eagle  Harbour 
Company.  I  am  satisfied,  by  walking  from  Agate  Harlwur 
to  Eagle  Harbour,  that  there  is  surplus  lands  between  these 
lines  ;  but  the  difficulty  originated  in  measuring  from  Cop- 
per Harbour  to  Agate  Harbour,  and  then  from  Eagle  River 
to  Eagle  Harbour,  without  closing  the  work  between  these 
points. 


THE     SUPERIOR    COMPANY, 

Adjoining  Copper  Harbour. 

George  N.  Saunders  is  manager  and  agent  for  this  Com- 
pany. Their  location  is  Lease  No.  1,  and  next  west  adjoin- 
ing Copper  Harbour.  There  are  to  be  seen  several  distinct 
spar  marked  veins,  in  passing  this  location  in  a  boat.  Mr. 
Saunders  was  preparing  buildings,  and  had  men  employed 
for  winter  operations.  From  one  of  them,  upon  whom  I  can 
rely,  I  am  informed  the  veins  **  prospected"  upon  afford 
excellent  specimens  of  native  copper  and  ores,  with  indica- 
tions of  large  quantities. 


H 


ALBION     MINING      COMPANY. 

Three  miles  south  of  Eagle  River, 

This  Company  have  Lease  No.  10,  which  is  cut  by  the 
west  branch  of  Eagle  River,  and  a  stream  falling  into  the 
lake  on  the  west.  The  location  covers  and  gives  name  to 
the  Albion  Rock  lieretofore  described.  They  have  con- 
tracted for  the  erection  of  buildings  and  opening  the  road 
this  winter,  from  Jennings^  works  on  Lease  5,  intersecting 
his  road  to  molith  of  Eagle  River. 


NORTH    AMERICAN   COMPANY. 

\     f 

West  of  Eagle  River. 

John  Bacon  is  agent  of  this  Company.    Their  location  is 
on  Lease  No.  7,  which,  like  those  of  the  previous  described 

8* 


II 


I. 


(    i>o    ) 

working  companies,  is  a  three  miles  square  permit.  A  west 
branch  of  the  Eagle  River  runs  through  it.  Their  place  of 
operations  is  two  and  a  half  miles  west  of  the  mouth  of 
Eagle  River,  and  their  vein  is,  like  all  the  others  of  this 
vicinity,  native  copper  disseminated.  He  had  a  force  of  ten 
men,  and  was  preparing  his  buildings  on  the  15th  of  Oc- 
tober. 


CHIPPEWA    MIXING    COMPANY. 

On  the  Ontonagon  and  Eagle  Rivers. 

This  company  is  located  on  the  Ontonagon  and  E.jgJe 
Rivers,  as  I  was  informed  by  their  agent  at  Copper  Har- 
bour, Mr.  W.  H.  Morell,  aifd  which  I  find  reiterated  in  the 
following  extracts  from  a  very  interesting  article  of  that  gen- 
tleman, published  in  the  New-York  Courier  and  Enquirer. 
I  have  made  an  exception  in  this  case  and  put  down  tiic 
Chippewa  Company  as  a  working  company  upon  his  and 
the  following  representations.  The  others  I  speak  from  per- 
sonal visit  and  knowledge  of. 

The  article  alluded  to  in  speaking  of  the  Ontonagon  River 
says  I — 

**  In  the  last  eight  miles  of  its  descent  to  the  Lake,  it  fulls 
at  the  rate  of  one  hundred  feet  or  more  to  the  mile,  laying 
bare  the  trap  rocks  which  there  form  its  bed,  and  exposing 
to  the  explorer  the  veins  that  traverse  them.  Here  numerous 
veins  containing  copper  have  been  found,  most  of  which 
have  been  covered  by  permits  belonging  to  the  Chippewa 
Mining  Co.,  and  in  proving  which  they  have  a  force  now  at 
work  whose  operations  will  be  contmued  through  the  winter. 

"  At  the  promontory  forming  Keweenaw  Point,  the 
course  of  the  veins  is  from  ten  to  twenty-five  degrees  south 
of  east ;  higher  up  the  Lake,  at  Black  Rivg-,  and  other  lo- 
calities, their  course  is  as  much,  and  oftener  more,  west  of 
south.  These  veins  vary  in  width  fi'om  a  mere  line  to  several 
yards,  and  their  mineral  contents,  whether  of  silver  or  cop- 
per, are  for  the  most  part  found  in  a  native  state,  although 
in  a  few  instances  the  sulphurets,  and  other  rich  ores  of  cop- 
per, have  been  discovered.  But  it  must  be  recollected  that 
but  comparatively  little  of  this  region  has  been  exposed  to 


(    91    ) 

the  explorer,  and  it  is  reasonable  to  expect  that  other  veins, 
perhaps  of  greater  extent  and  richer  in  quaUty  than  those 
now  discovered,  may  yet  be  developed." 

The  last  extract  corroborates  not  only  my  own  observa- 
tion, but  the  representations  of  nearly  all  explorers  of  the 
Lake  Superior  Mineral  regions,  that  the  great  preponderance 
of  copper  is  found  in  the  native  state  disseminated  which  all 
analyzers  thus  far  acknowledge,  is  unalloyed  with  other 
metals. 


ENGLISH  COPPER  PRODUCT  AND  COMMERCE. 

Table  showin|°;  the  annual  average  produce  of  the  Copper  mines  of 

the  County  of;  Cornwall,  England,  from  1771  to  1S2-2, 

and  her  imports. 

Average   Avoia:;c    Aver.Tze     Average  Average 
number     nitnibor      amount      percent  value  of 
Years.  of  tons  of  of  tons  of    per  year    of  copper  the  cop- 

ore  per      cop])cr     for  which   the  j)ro-.   per  pr. 
year,     produced  it  was  .loid  duct  from  pound, 
per  year.   indt.Ilars.    the  ore.    cts.  m'ls 


1771  to  1775  r^  years 

2S,7J9 

3,419 

$S1G,2S3 

12 

10 

9 

1776  "  17S0  5     " 

27,580 

3,309 

82(5,609 

12 

11 

17SI  "   17S6  G     " 

31,351 

-1,1>2 

902,3^0 

12 

10 

4 

1796  "  1^*>2  7     « 

51,813 

5,195 

2,125,010 

10 

18 

2 

1S03  "  1-^07  r>    " 

70,923 

0,100 

3,171,725 

S 

23 

ISOS  "   IS12  5     •« 

70,^131 

0,1 9.S 

2,"^'iO,S35 

9 

12 

9 

1<»13  "  IS17  5     " 

8 -2,0 10 

7,272 

2,878,723 

8 

17 

() 

I  vis  "  l>2-2  5     " 

yi,.'j'.ti 

7,757 

3,111,811 

8 

17 

9 

TheavVge  — 

— 

1 1   1 

pr.  year  for  51  years 

57,573 

5,170 

$2,101,50  I 

9  7-8 

15 

2-8 

Great  Britain  imported  in  1840,  28,757  Tons  of  Ore,  at  .*;SG  70  per  ton 
yielding  in  metal  5,751  Tons  which  sold  for  ;iJ!2,493,031,90 

The  amount  produced  in  G.  Britian 
estimated  by  Mr.  D.La  Beclie,  is  about  $0,000,000,00 


Makins  her  copper  tradt? 

Exports  pr.  an.  17,777  tons  at  10 cts.  lb 


$8,193,031,90 


11*5,973,072,00 


Leaving  her  to  consume  $2,210,909,90 

We  import  into  the  U.  S.  1,183  tons  at  10  cts.  per  lb.    $.'4 7-1 ,500,90 

Bj  the  reported  assays  of  our  ores  their  probable  average 
will  be  found  to  be  25  per  cent.  But  suppose  they  shall  re- 
sult at  a  ininimnm  average  of  20  per  cent.  The  difference 
between  that  and  the  average  of  the  British  ores  will  alone 


i 


iil 


(  »^  ) 


enable  us  to  undersell  them,  and  take  the  markets  of  their 
present  exports  to  the  amount  of  $6,000,000  per  annum,  and 
we  at  the  same  time  mnke  as  great  profit  as  they  now  do,  or 
greater, — for  while  they  must  raise  their  ores  500  to  1500 
feet,  our  best  veins  in  my  opinion,  will  be  found  to  be  at 
very  advantageous  altitudes  in  the  mountains.  And  while 
they  will  be  compelled  to  expend  immense  sums  on  shafls 
and  adits,  we  may  work  upon  an  ascending  line  with  inesti- 
mable saving  in  the  cost  of  mining. 

But  if  even  we  are  compelled  to  descend  in  pursuit  of  the 
ore,  the  present  shafts,  in  scarcely  an  instance,  are  troubled 
with  permanent  water.  I  have  been  down  all  of  them — in 
no  one  did  I  see  room  for  apprehending  trouble  from  that 
cause.  I  am  led  to  this  conclusion  from  #ther  reasons  than 
its  present  absence.  If  we  look  upon  the  mineral  region, 
and  the  country  around  it,  we  find  that  the  mineral  has  its 
location  in  an  immense  range  of  hills,  among  which  are  in- 
numerable small  lakes,  and  generally  very  deep,  an  evidence 
that  their  basins  are  very  compact,  or  they  would  filter  away 
to  Lake  Superior,  sometimes  hundreds  of  feet  below  them, 
and  but  a  short  distance  off.  And,  the  bottom  of  Lake 
Superior,  which  forms  the  toe  of  this  range  of  hills,  is  at  such 
a  depth,  that  but  for  the  water  these  hills  would  be  immense 
mountains  in  altitude.  The  rock  is  dry,  and  although  hard, 
it  is  not  difficult  to  penetrate  with  a  drill,  and  its  compact- 
ness amply  compensates  in  the  throw  of  the  blast  for  any 
labour  required  over  a  softer  rock.  It  is  true,  that  nearly 
all  the  works  have  been  commenced  by  sinking  shafts  on 
the  lower  levels.  The  reason  is,  that  men,  generally  expe- 
rienced miners,  were  engaged  to  commence  them,  who  had 
no  more  knowledge,  however,  of  how  mining  should  be  done 
on  Lake  Superior,  beyond  the  mere  mechanical  operations, 
than  the  most  untried  noviciate.  Nor  is  it  to  be  wondered 
at,  for  they  had  never  seen  or  heard  any  way  except  to  go 
down,  down,  down,  year  after  year,  driving  adits  for  miles 
under  ground  to  get  rid  of  entering  streams  from  a  higher 
altitude  than  the  ore.  They  followed  experience  in  other 
regions,  and  so  did  geol'^^isiis  and  mineralogists  in  directing 
them.  The  latter  are  fast  finding  out  that  their  fixed  sys- 
tems were  adapted  to  other  regions ;  and  the  miners  are 
fiudiog  out  that  it  is  easier  to  tumble  their  offal  down  a  h'  ' 


th 
foi 
al 


lib 
ta 


(    93    ) 

than  it  is  to  raise  it  up  a  shaft  with  a  hand-windlass.  But 
for  the  time  operations  have  been  going  on,  the  changes 
already  made  clearly  indicate  what  Yankee  ingenuity  and 
penetration  is  destined  to  yet  accomplish  in  copper  mining. 
If  we  look  to  Galena,  we  see  them  there  following,  ferret- 
like,  at  great  depths,  an  inch  square  vein  of  lead  to  advan- 
tage. If  lead  can  be  thus  worked  to  a  profit,  copper  cer- 
tainly can. 

The  mining  business  is,  however,  a  peculiar  one,  for  in 
the  best  of  mines,  days  and  weeks  of  labour  must  be  exhaust- 
ed without  any  return,  in  the  opening  and  preparing,  and 
where  the  vein  contracts.  It  is  a  business,  too,  that  has  its 
daily  expenses,  whether  there  is  any  return  or  not.  It  re- 
quires the  most  particular  supervision  of  the  men.  The  most 
perfect  system  and  promptness  in  all  its  departments  is  of 
the  very  la3t  importance,  and  not  least,  is  a  sufficient  capital 
necessary  to  sustain  that  system.  In  tliis,  as  in  all  other 
undertakings,  some  wiU  fail  and  others  succeed,  having 
the  same  advantages,  the  results  depending  entirely  upon 
their  respective  management.  Those  who  have  capital  for 
permanent  investment,  may,  with  ordinary  discrimination, 
make  perfectly  safe  and  advantageous  investments  with  very 
reasonable  calculations  on  a  regular  and  steady  business, 
and  nave  the  chances  of  immense  sudden  profits,  which 
will,  without  doubt,  in  many  instances,  be  the  case  ;  for  all 
that  is  yet  known  of  the  region  is,  that  there  are  abundant 
evidences  of  copper — that  so  far,  working  has  almost  inva- 
riably sustained  appearances. 

Such,  however,  have  been  the  representations,  in  some 
cases,  of  the  qualities  of  metal  and  facilities  for  obtaining  it, 
that  many  have  imagined  there  woukl  soon  be  an  over  sup- 
ply. Of  such,  let  me  ask,  where  are  the  immense  quantities 
of  lead  and  iron  consumed  ? — No,  there  is  not  that  person 
now  born,  who  will  live  to  see  copper  positively  decline  except 
with  the  price  of  manual  labour,  in  this  country  any  more 
than  it  will  be  policy  to  drop  it  below  competitors  to  usurp 
the  market.  The  uses  for  which  it  is  scarcely  ever  employed 
now,  and  would  be  but  for  the  price,  arc  almost  iinunner- 
able.  Now,  the  market  is  watched,  and  any  increase  of 
consumption  is  certain  to  bring  an  increase  of  price,  and 
we  confine  it  to  actual  necessary  purposes.     Soon  as  wo 


(  y  A  ) . 

produce  it  in  considerable  quantities,  we  shall  see  how  the 
demand  will  increase.  We  siiall  not  then  send  our  ships  to 
the  miners  to  be  coppered  merely  to  save  the  slight  difference 
it  now  affords.  Yankee  ingenuity,  I  doubt  not,  is  destined 
to  show  itself  in  improvements  in  ])roducing  and  treating 
these  ores,  as  it  has  in  every  thing  else  it  has  hud  presented 
to  its  universal  solvent  powers. 

This  subject  of  copper,  is  no  longer  to  be  viewed  as  be- 
longing peculiarly  to  "  Adventurers,'*''  Its  importance  and 
prospective  results  to  the  nation,  like  other  great  resources 
of  our  country,  demands  and  will  receive  the  attention  of  the 
capitalist  and  statesman.  We  are  now  paying  $474,560 
a  year  for  copper  which  we  may  produce  ourselves ;  add 
this  to  the  trade  we  may  have  from  successful  competi- 
tion in  $6»000,000  export  of  those  who  supply  us,  gives 
u  business  in  commerce  of  millions — Compare  this  with 
our  export  of  bread-stuffs — Let  the  capitalist  cypher  upon  it — 
Let  the  merchant  think  of  the  balance  of  exchange. 


GLOSSARY  OF  MLNERS'  &  MINERAL  TERMS. 

The  ftillowing  glossary  of  terms  may  be  useful  to  readers, 
or  travellers  in  the  mineral  region  : 

Adit — A  drain.  One  in  Redruth  is  driven  thirty  miles 
under  ground,  being  a  main  one. 

Alluvion^  or  Alluvium — Recent  deposits  of  earth,  sand, 
gravel,  mud,  stone?,  peel,  shell  banks,  shell  marl,  drift  sand, 
&.C.,  resulting  from  causes  now  in  action,  of  wl»'ch  water  is 
u  principal  agent. 

Amt/^daloid — A  trajj  rock  which  is  porous  and  spongy, 
with  rouiuled  cavities  scattered  through  its  mass,  which  are 
often  filled  with  agates  and  minerals. 

Arg'dlacrous — Clnyey. 

Aififife. — A  j;iini)le  mineral  of  variable  color,  from  black 
through  green  and  gray  to  white.  It  is  a  constituent  of  ma- 
ny volcanic  and  trappean  rock^,  and  is  also  found  in  some 
ofthe  granitic  rock.^. 

Blend — A  t^ulphale  of  zinc,  n  shining  zinc  ore. 

Duicldcrs — Erratic  gravel,  lost  rocks  ;  rocks  which  liavp 


(    95    ) 

been  transported  from  a  great  distance,  and  more  or  leas 
rounded  by  attrition  or  action  of  elements. 

Basalt — One  of  the  common  trap  rocks.  It  is  composed 
of  Augite  and  feldspar,  is  hard,  compact  and  dark  green,  or 
black,  and  often  has  a  regular  columnar  form. 

Calcareous  Rocks — Synonimous  with  limestone. 

Calcareous  Spar — Crystalized  carbonate  of  lime. 

Carbonates — Compounds,  having  carbonic  acid,  oxygen 
and  carbon. 

Chalohyte — Impregnated  with  iron. 

Conglomerate,  Crag  or  Puddingstone — Rocks  composed 
of  rounded  masses,  pebbles  and  gravel  cemented  together 
by  siliceous,  calcareous,  or  argillaceous  cement. 

Crystaline — An  assemblage  of  imperfectly  defined  crys- 
tals like  loaf  sugar  and  common  white  marble. 

Cross  Course — A  lode  intersecting  at  any  angle,  gene- 
rally throwing  the  vein  out  of  its  course. 

Cross — The  best  Ore. 

Crushing — Grinding  ores  without  water. 

Cunieform — Wedge  shaped. 

Cut — To  intersect  by  driving,  sinking  or  rising. 

Costeaning — Discovering  lodes  by  sinking  pits  in  their 
vicinity,  and  driving  transversely  to  their  supposed  direction. 

Cofering — Securing  the  shaft  from  the  influx  of  water  by 
raming  in  clay,  &.c. 

Core — Miners  usually  work  but  six  hours  at  a  time,  con- 
sequently four  pairs  of  men  are  required  ;  the  forenoon,  from 
6  A.  M.  to  12  M.,  from  12  to  6  P.  M.  &  G  to  12  dc  12  to6. 

Drift — A  horizontal  excavation  in  any  direction  under 
ground,  for  ore  ventilation,  dec. 

Dead  Ground — The  portion  of  lode  in  which  the  ore  if 
dead. 

Decn — The  end  of  a  level  or  cross  cut. 

Dropper — A  branch  where  it  leaves  the  main  lode. 

Driving — Digging  horizontally. 

Durns — A  frame  of  timber  with  boards  placed  behind,  to 
keep  open  shaflt*,  levels,  &.c. 

Drill — A  steel-pointed  iron  bar  from  one  to  five  feet, 
struck  with  hammer  blows,  making  a  hole  for  a  blast. 

£han — Pnjperly,  clay  stone. 

Fast — The  firm  rock  beneath  the  diluvium. 


-*:%« 


i 


u 


ll 


(    96    ) 

Fang — ^A  niche  in  the  side  of  an  adit  or  shaft  for  an  air 
course. 

Feeder — ^A  branch  where  it  falls  into  a  lode. 

Flookan  A  soft  clayey  substance  which  is  generally 
found  to  accompany  the  cross  courses  and  slides,  and  occa- 
sionally the  lodes  themselves,  but  when  applied  to  a  vein, 
means  a  cross  course  or  vein  of  clay. 

jP/uAre— The  head  of  the  charger,  an  instrument  used  for 
clearing  the  hole  previous  to  blasting. 

Feldspar — A  simple  mineral  and  next  abundant  to  quartz. 

Foot^  or  Underlaying  Wall — Is  the  wall  under  the  lode. 

Fossil* — Remains  of  animals  and  plants  found  buried  in 
the  earth  or  enclosed  in  rocks  in  different  stages  of  change. 

Gad — A  pointed  wedge  of  a  peculiar  form,  having  its 
sides  of  a  porabolic  figure,  used  in  the  mine  for  wedging  off 
splits.  « 

Gossan — Ozyde  of  iron  and  quartz,  generally  occurring  in 
lodes  at  shallow  depths. 

Gulp  of  Ore — A  very  large  deposit  of  ore  in  a  lode. 

Gumnies — Sands  or  workings. 

Galena — An  ore  of  lead  composed  of  lead  and  sulphur. 

Garnet — Simple  mineral,  usually  red  and  crystalized. 
Abundant  in  primitive  rocks. 

Greenstone — A  trap  rock  composed  of  hornblende  and 
feldspar. 

Horse — Is  where  a  hard  formation  or  the  wall  rock  inters 
cepts  a  vein. 

Hornblende — A  mineral  of  dark  green  or  black  colour. 

Lodes — Cracks  or  fissures  containing  ore.  They  vary  in 
course,  shape  and  size,  are  generally  coated  with  a  hard 
crystalization ;  the  width  of  a  lode  is  known  by  the  distance 
between  these  crystalizalions. 

Leap — Is  wlien  n  vein  disappears  suddenly  by  diminish- 
ing in  quality  or  quantity. 

Mural  Escapement — A  rocky  cliff  with  a  face  nearly  ver- 
tical, like  a  wall. 

Marl — By  this  term  an  argillaceous  carbonate  of  lime  is 
usually  implied. 

Marly  Clay — A  clay  containing  carbonate  of  lime. 

Metamorphic  Rocks — Stratified  division  of  primary  rocks, 
such  as  gneiss,  mica  slate,  hornblende  slate,  quartz  rock,  dec. 


•V* 


(  ^  ) 

MetaUijWous — Containing  metal  or  metalic  ores. 

Mica — A  simple  lightish  mineral,  having  a  shining  silvery 
surface,  capable  of  being  spht  into  very  thin  scales.  The 
brilliant  scales  in  granite  and  gneiss  are  mica. 

Mica  Slate — One  of  the  most  stratified  rocks  belonging 
to  the  primary  class,  composed  of  mica  and  quartz,  the  mica 
being  in  layers  makes  it  appear  to  predominate. 

Native  Metals-^Metah  found  in  a  natural  uncombined 
state. 

New  Red  Sand  Stone — A  series  of  sandy  and  argillaceous, 
and  often  calcareous  strata,  the  prevailing  colour  of  which 
is  brick  red,  but  having  portions  greenish  gray,  which  occur 
often  in  spots  and  stripes,  so  that  the  series  is  sometimes 
called  variegated  sand  stone.  In  Europe  lies  immediately 
above  the  coal  measures. 

Old  Red  Sand  Stone — A  stratified  rock  belonging  to  the 
carboniferous  group  of  Europe. 

Oxyde — A  combination  of  Oxygen  with  another  body. 
The  term  is  usually  limited  to  such  combinations  as  do  not 
possess  active  acid  or  alkaline  properties. 

Primary  Rocks — Those  which  lie  below  all  the  stratified 
rocks,  and  exhibit  no  marks  of  sedimentary  origin.  They 
contain  no  fossils,  and  are  oldest  or  lowest  strata  known. 
Granite,  hornblende,  quartz,  and  some  slates  belong  to  this 
division. 

Prospecting — Examining  for  and  partially  opening  veins 
when  discovered. 

Pyrites — A  mineral  compound  of  sulphur  and  iron.  It  is 
usually  of  a  brass  yellow,  brilliant,  often  crystalized,  and 
frequently  mistaken  for  gold. 

Quartz — A  simple  mineral,  composed  of  silex.  Rock 
crystal  is  an  example. 

Strata. — Layers  of  rocks  parallel  to  each  othci 

Secondary  Strata — An  extensive  series  of  the  stratified 
rocks  which  composed  the  crust  of  the  globe,  with  certain 
characters  in  common,  which  distinguish  these  from  another 
series  below  them,  called  primary^  and  one  above  them  called 
tertiary. 

Shaft — Is  what  is  usually  called  a  well.  Is  any  required 
diameter,  depth  for  ventilation,  or  bringing  up  oro.     Afler 


(    98     ) 


j 


drifting  has  progressed,  shafts  are  required  as  ventilators,  to 
free  them  from  the  smoke  of  blasts. 

Slate.-A  rock  dividing  into  thin  layers. 

Stalactite.-Concreted  corbonate  of  lime,  hanging  from 
the  roofs  of  caves,  and  like  icicles  in  form. 

Sedimentary  Rocks — All  those  which  have  been  formed 
by  their  materials  having  been  thrown  down  ftom  u  state  of 
suspension  or  solution  in  water. 

Serpentine — A  rock  composed  principally  of  hydrated 
silicate  of  magnesia,  and  generally  an  unstratified  rock. 

Silex — The  name  of  one  of  the  icw  earths  which  is  the 
base  of  the  Hint  quartz,  and  most  sands  and  sand  stone. 

Simple  Minerals — Ore  composed  of  a  single  mineral  sub- 
stance, while  rocks  are  generally  aggregated  minerals  cemen- 
ted together. 

Syenite  and  Sienite — ^A  granite  rock,  in  which  hornblende 
replaces  the  mica. 

Synclinal  Axis — When  the  strata  dips  downward  from 
opposite  directions  like  the  side  of  a  gutter. 

Tertiara  Strata — A  series  of  sedimentary  rocks  with 
characteristics  which  distinguish  them  from  the  two  other 
great  series  of  strata,  the  secondary  and  primary,  both  of 
which  lie  beneath  them. 

Transition  Rocks — A  series  of  rocks  which  lie  below  the 
secondary  and  next  above  the  primary,  and  are  called 
"  transition,"  because  they  seem  to  have  been  formed  at  a 
period  when  the  earth  was  passing  from  an  uninhabited  to 
a  habitable  condition,  and  contain  a  number  of  characteris- 
tic fossils. 

Trap — Trapean  Rocks — Ancient  volcanic  rocks,  com- 
posed of  feldspar,  hornblende  and  augite.  Basalt,  green- 
stone, amygdaloid  and  dolomite,  are  trap  rocks. 

Tuff— An  Italian  name  for  volcanic  rocks  of  an  earthy 
texture. 

Vein  Stone — A  thm  cry staline  coating  or  membrane  each 
side  of  a  vein. 

Wall  Rock — The  hard  rock  which  is  almost  universally 
found  on  each  side  of  a  vein,  between  wiiich  and  the  vein  in 
the  crystaUzation  called  vein  stone. 


(     90     ) 


NATIVE  METALS  AND  ORES. 

This  list  will  be  found  to  cover  in  some  character  all  the 
specimens  of  the  Lake  Superior  mines,  with  the  exception 
of  lead,  iron,  and  zinc. 

Gold. — Native,  yellow,  disseminated,  in  membranes  and 
flattish  grains,  crystallized  in  cubes,  seldom  massive,  gener- 
ally the  colour  of  brass. 

Silver,-\s  lightish,  occurs  in  membranes  and  plates,  massive 
and  disseminated,  in  pieces  and  plates,  crystallized  in  cubes, 
octangular,  four-sided,  rectangular,  prisms,  &c.,  and  appears 
to  belong  to  the  new  primitive  (trap)  rocks. 

Silver,  black, — Is  of  a  bluish  colour,  occurs  massive  and 
disseminated. 

Red  Silver  Ore. — Dark  red,  and  silver  grey,  six-sided, 
resplendent. 

Native  Copper. — Is  copper-red,  often  tarnished,  massive 
and  disseminated,  between  semi-hard  and  soft,  little  ft'angible, 
malleable,  heavy,  found  in  veins  and  kidneys.  It  fuses  at 
27  degrees  of  Wedgewood's  pyrometer.  The  largest  mass 
ever  known  of  native  copper  is  the  "  Ontonagon  Rock,** 
weighing  3,704  lbs.,  from  25  miles  up  the  Ontonagon 
River,  Lake  Superior. 

Copper  Glauce, — Usually  dark  lead-colour,  passing  to 
blackish  grey,  soft,  frangible,  heavy,  in  veins. 

Variegated  Copper. — Colour  between  copper  and  pinch- 
brown,  occurs  massive,  disseminated,  in  membranes,  crystal- 
lized in  octagons,  soft,  heavy,  frangible,  found  in  beds  and 
rocks. 

Copper  Pyrites. — Brass-yellow,  shining  and  soft.  The 
best  Swedish  give  63  per  cent. 

Pyritous  Copper,  or  Bi-Sulphuret. — Strongly  resembles 
sulphuret  of  iron,  but  less  pale  in  colour,  harder,  and  gives 
ftre  with  the  steel,  often  variegated  colours.  When  pure,  is 
30  per  cent,  copper,  37  sulphur,  33  iron.  It  is  the  yellow 
ore  of  Sweden,  Cornwall,  and  Cuba. 

White  Copper  Ore. — Colour  between  silver  and  white,  a 
bronze  yellow,  occurs  massive  and  disseminated,  internally 
glittering,  rather  soft,  brittle  and  heavy,  found  in  veins  and 
beds  in  primitive  rocks. 

Grey  Copper  Ore, — Colour  most  commonly  steel-grey, 


i^ 


(     100    ) 

massive  and  disseminated,  crystallized  in  various  forms,  par- 
tially hnrd,  brittle,  and  heavy,  found  in  new  primitive  (trap) 
and  transition  rocks. 

Red  Copper  Ore. — Colour  dark  cochineal-red,  massive 
and  disseminated,  glimmering,  frangible,  heavy,  found  the 
same  as  the  grey  ore. 

Copper^  Black. — Colour  between  bluish  and  brownish- 
black,  occurs  massive  and  disseminated,  and  as  a  coating  to 
other  copper  ores,  heavy,  and  yielding  40  to  80  per  cent., 
accompanied  generally  by  copper  pyrites,  is  found  in  a  black 
powder  (podge),  when  massive  a  lustre  on  rubbing,  is  of  a 
velvet-black. 

Sulphuret  of  Coppery  (heavy,)  or  vitrous  copper  (brochant), 
of  which  a  great  many  varieties  are  known,  very  rich,  yield- 
ing when  pure  about  80  per  cent,  of  copper,  often  crystallized, 
presenting  a  shining  lead-colour,  but  its  colour  is  usually  dark. 
It  crystallizes  beautifully. 

Tile  Ore. — Red-hyacinth  colour,  massive,  disseminated, 
glimmering  metallic  lustre,  opaque,  semi-hard,  brittle,  heavy, 
frangible. 

Copper^  Azure. — Colour  smalt-blue,  frangible,  dissemi- 
nated, particles  approaching  heavy. 

Copper,  Chreen. — Colour  verdigris-green,  different  degrees 
of  intensity,  massive,  disseminated,  internally  shining,  soft, 
not  brittle,  semi-hard,  heavy. 

Carbonate  of  Copper. — Blue  and  green,  sometimes  found 
in  beautiful  crystals,  and  is  often  valuable  as  a  gem. 

Copper y  Emerald. — Colour  green,  crystallized  in  six-sided 
prisms,  shining  with  vitreous  lustre,  translucent,  semi-hard, 
brittle,  heavy. 

Dioptate. — A  rare  and  beautiful  emerald  malachite,  con- 
sisting of  oxide  of  copper,  carbonate  of  lime,  silica,  and  water. 

There  is  also  what  is  called  Sulphate  of  Copper^  Phos- 
phate of  Copper^  Muriate  of  Copper^  Arseniatc  of  Copper, 
of  infinite  variations  in  contents,  qualities,  and  colours. 

Copper,  Mica. — Usually  emerald-green,  massive,  dissemi- 
nated, crystallized  in  six-sided  tables,  translucent,  transpa- 
rent, soft,  light,  found  only  in  veins. 

Lenticular  Ore. — Colour  sky-blue,  passing  to  green,  crys- 
4  tyllized  in  small  flat  double-sided  pyramids,  extremely  shin- 
ing, translucent,  soft,  rather  brittle,  frangible. 


(     101    ) 

Olivium  Ore, — Colour  olive-green,  seldom  massive,  small 
crystals,  acute  rhomboids,  oblique  four-sided  prisms,  inter- 
nally glittering,  adamantine  lustre,  soft,  heavy. 

Manganese, — Black  and  shining,  granular,  called  mag- 
netic iron  rock,  is  heavy,  frangible,  brittle,  in  strata,  veins. 

In  the  Cornwall  veins  the  sulphurets  of  zinc  occupy  the 
upper  portion  of  the  veins,  succeeded  by  tin-stone,  and  then 
come  copper  pyrites.  On  Lake  Superior  the  sulphurets  of 
zinc  and  copper,  and  oxides  of  copper  and  iron,  are  similarly 
found. 

Yellow  sulphuret,  pyritous  copper,  are  the  main  products 
of  the  Cornwall,  while  native  copper,  the  oxydes  and  sulphu- 
rets prevail  here. 


GRANTEES  AND  No.  OF  LOCATION. 

The  following  list  of  applications  for  permits,  and  No.  of 
certificate  is  as  taken  from  the  books  of  the  Mineral  Agency 
at  Copper  Harbour,  and  comprises  all  the  entries  therein  on 
the  4th  of  October.  But  no  real  certaintv  of  correctness  be- 
tween  the  list  and  map  can  be  depended  upon,  for  public 
books  and  official  business  I  never  saw  in  such  conglomerate 
state  as  those  of  this  Mineral  Agency.  Col.  M'Nair,  the 
present  incumbent,  assisted  by  Mr.  Eliason,  I  doubt  not,  will 
look  out  for  the  future  and  Messrs.  Todd  and  Bartley  have 
charge  of  the  past.  None  of  the  entries  of  1843,  113  in 
number,  are  in  this  list  although  their  number  is  on  the  map. 


Adams  R.  41 

Alexander  W.  G.  79 
Atwood  H.  163 

Ashley  A.  164 

Adams  J.  183 

Adams  J.  A.  279 

Anderson  J.  314 

Alexander  John  415 
AUea  Jas.  S.  459 
Almy  John  474 

Adams  James         483 
Adams  John  Q. 
(Monroe,  Mich.)  5U5 
Austin  W.  Benton  395 


B 

Biddle  S.  B.  7 

Bestor  C.  10 

Bush  C.  16 

Bickly  S.  W.  20 

BlemotJ.  32 

Bates  M.  53 

Bates  G.  C.  69 

Berney  J.  E.  150 

Boyd  J.  J.  114 

Burgess  J,  131 

Brewster  B.  H.  146 

Brown  J.  167 

Bradley  J.  170 

Brown  S.  B.  184 


Boarman  S.  W.  484 

Bonraosan  C.  104 

Borrdwin  N.  209 

BaboC.  214 

Butterfield  J.  220 

Bartlett  J.  229 

Bundtell  E.  230 

Brewster  C.  W.  239 

Buckley  H.  J.  267 

Bergman  H.  274 

Bartlett  S.  290 

Bennett  W.  298 

Brooks  E.  303 

Broadhead  J.  R.  304 

Brinkman  J.  367 


.jn|- 


(     102     ) 


i<  ■ 


firastaw  G.  A.  323 

Beris  6.  333 

Burt  D.  340 

BellD.  357 

Brown  V.  393 

Boyer  Wm.  H.  404 

Boswell  John  419 

Blauvelt  John  422 
Banrassan  Charles  432 

Bacon  Levi  468 

Bank  Barthol.  478 

Bacon  Erastus  489 

Bell  Robert  512 

Benson  A.  6.  520 

Beaugrand  John  xxv 

C  . 

Cornell  M.  19 

Childs  J.  26 

Cults  R.  D.  27 

Cowles  Thos.  39 

Chapman  R.  47 

Catton  C  57 

Comstock  C.  60 

Campbell  G.  75 

Campbell  J.  B.  82 

Clark  A.  Ill 

Chamberlain  W.  120 

Curell  W.  123 

Chandler  E.  128 

Conger  O.  D.  133 

Chapin  T.  137 

Campbell  J.  143 

Crows  W.  J.  148 

Caulkins  S.  W.  153 

Coxe  R.  S.  169 
Clark  M.  St  Clair  171 

Chester  J.  176 

Clark  J.  G.  181 

Contains  Louis  195 

Cameron  W  197 

Cheever  W.  A.  201 

Crawford  208 

Clark  A.     *  224 

Coffin  H.  231 

Culter  J.  234 

Culter  R.  C.  238 

Clark  W.  P.  247 
Cummings  Jno.  P.  420 

Cheever  Wm.  A.  423 

Curtis  Edward  426 

Contains  L.  431 


Crosby  Geo. 

458 

Chamberlain  Sam.  4G0 

Cross  Robt. 

466 

Cowder  John  H. 

516 

Cheever  Geo.  E. 

534 

Cheever  B.  H 

535 

Chamberlain  C.  S 

541 

Cover  Anson 

I 

Clark  W.  P.  jr. 

250 

Calbuck  J. 

273 

Choate  R. 

278 

Constant  J.  A. 

286 

Cutter  C.  W. 

324 

Cryler  J. 

346 

Chaising  E. 

366 

Cail  J. 

375 

Cherry  C. 

378 

Curtiss 

391 

Chamberlain  0. 

414 

D 

Decker  G. 

23 

Douglass  C. 

37 

Douglass  C.  C. 

59 

Dorris  H.  £. 

99 

De  Ruyter  J. 

117 

Douglass  M. 

119 

Dygert  Rin. 

140 

Dorrer  J. 

179 

Donoho  S. 

207 

Deye  Paul 

211 

Dorris  J. 

291 

Dorris  F.  W. 

292 

Dixon  Thomas 

294 

Derry  E.  C. 

327 

David  D.  Davis 

450 

De  France  H.  A. 

517 

Dwight  Geo.  A. 

521 

Dermont  J.  B. 

347 

Dickey  S. 

356 

Deckilbow  L. 

367 

Darris  J. 

370 

Darris  E.  E. 

394 

Dallas  W.  W. 

406 

Doyle  Edward 

412 

E 

Edwards  T. 

80 

EugherstW  B. 

85 

Edwards  H. 

100 

Eights  Jas. 

161 

Emmons  J.  W 

243 

Erring  J. 

273 

Ellicolt  E.  T. 
Ellicott  A. 
EUicott  B. 
Erwin  J.  M. 

F 
Ford  B. 
Fuller  A. 
Forsyth  L.  C 
Falley  H. 
Farrand  J.  S. 
Fisk  Asa 
Flemming  E. 
G 
Geisse  A.  H. 
Green  C.  R. 
Griffin  E. 
Griswold  G.  R. 
Gowin  A. 
Gormeo  J. 
Goshun  C. 
Grakin  S. 
Gillett  R. 
Grout  J.  R. 
Gage  L 
Graham 
Gleason  E. 
Green  Samuel 
Glenn  J. 
Glenn  W.  C. 
Gormly  Wm.  R. 
Gleason  Jno.  F. 
Goddard  Abel 
Guthrie  G.  W. 

H 
Higgins  James 
Higgins  J. 
Hudson  W.  H. 
Henshaw  J. 
Humphrey  C.  M. 
Hassin  A. 
Humphey  L.  S. 
Hanscomb  A.  H. 
Howard  J. 
Helfenstein  J.  L. 
Haddis  Wm. 
Higgins  H. 
Hazletonon  G.  A. 
Holcomb  D.  H. 
Hempsted  J.  L. 
Hinker  EM. 
Harmony  M. 


363 

364 

Ho 

368 

Ha 

518 

Ha 

Hit 

87 

Ha 

162 

Ha 

212 

Ho 

271 

Ha 

299 

Hai 

380 

Hei 

399 

Hoi 

Ho 

67 

Het 

71 

Hai 

109 

Hai 

138 

Hal 

147 

Har 

178- 

Haj 

216 

Ho\ 

236 

H0£ 

252 

Hui 

254 

Hat 

264 

Hal 

283 

Hoi 

297 

Hyd 

313 

Hal 

361 

Hal 

363 

Her 

405 

Hyc 

440 

Ha> 

444 

Har 

619 

Hul 

Hui 

13 

Hoi 

24 

Ha> 

34 

Ho] 

38 

Hu 

44 

Ha 

54 

Hu 

61 

Ho 

70 

Ha 

73 

Ha 

74 

81 

Joi 

94 

Je\ 

95 

J  01 

97     . 

Ja( 

98 

Jal 

115 

Joi 

121 

Je 

>"*lk 


(    103    ) 


Hopkins  G. 
Hall  W. 

122 

Jones  Evan 

451 

M. 

124 

Joy  Thaddeus 

539 

Meneclair  Nick 

3 

Hall  A.  S 

149 

Joy  Lewis 

540 

Morrell  A. 

15 

Hitchcock 

152 

Judson  H.  C. 

V 

Morris  H. 

29 

Hayford 

154 

K. 

Morris  G.  W. 

31 

Hamilton  D. 

158 

Kemble  G. 

28 

MagiU  A.  W. 

76 

Howe  W.  H. 

175 

Kemble  W. 

30 

MagiU  J. 

77 

Hall  D.  A. 

204 

Kenzte  J.  H. 

68 

Murhead  J.  R. 

84 

Hammond 

251 

Kettell  T.  P. 

127. 

Murhead  J.  B. 

86 

Herrick  J. 

260 

Kenyon  C. 
Knollman  H. 

159 

May  J. 

89 

Horris  S. 

265 

189 

McCormick 

90 

Hoffman  C. 

276 

Knowles  A. 

262 

Murray  J.  B. 

91 

Henshaw  C. 

277 

Kundut  R. 

275 

Myers  T. 

104 

Haines  A.  B. 

285 

Kendall  D. 

379. 

Myers  J. 

105 

Hannah  J. 

295 

Kimball  D. 

387 

Mayhur  A. 

112 

Hall  M. 

301 

Kimball  Moses 

397 

Mickle  A.  H. 

118 

Harding  F.  A. 

302 

Kortnight  N.  G. 

416 

Merit  J. 

142 

Hay  H.  S. 

311 

Knight  Zeph.  B. 

436 

Moran  G. 

144 

Howard  H.  N. 

335 

Kidder  C.  D. 

456 

M'Culley  S. 

145 

Hogan  P. 

336 

Kellog  Chancey  P.  465 

Maynai'd  S. 

156 

Humphrey  B. 

358 

King  Charles 

522 

Miller  R. 

191 

Hannah  L. 

360 

Kingman  E. 

523 

Milett  D. 

196 

Hall  R. 

384 

L. 

Marsh  C.  W 

203 

Homer  Hufus 

409 

Lyon  Lucius 

42 

Marsh  F. 

200 

Hyde  Oliver  M. 

413 

Litchfield  E.  C. 

66 

Meyone  J. 

206 

Hale  H.  H. 

417 

Listen  Geo.  R. 

125 

Munger  D. 

215 

Hall  David  A. 

424 

Learned  Edward 

150 

Mendenhall  C. 

227 

Herriman  Edwin 

425 

Learned  C.  G. 

151 

Moran  Ed. 

315 

Hyde  Joseph  E. 

434 

Lumbley  Geo. 

173 

Miller  W. 

319 

Hay  James 

515 

La  Birice 

198 

Morell  W.  H. 

325 

Harring  Sam*l  K. 

476 

Ladd  C.  H. 

232 

Moon  W. 

330 

Hubbard  Rich.  D 

.  507 

Ladd  A.  H. 

242 

Moneyweather  A 

.  337 

Hunt  Thomas  J. 

437 

Ledyord  A.  H. 

253 

Mercer  W.  H. 

338 

Holland  Henry 

438 

Livingston  A. 

305 

Murphy  J.  P. 

369 

Hawley  Tim.  H. 

443 

La  Clair  F. 

316 

Mouron  H.  N 

381 

Holmes  Cyrus 

445 

Leming  0, 

318 

Matthews  M. 

421 

Hussey  P.  D. 

449 

Langiedge  W. 
Littlejohn  D.  C 

334 

Millett  Derick 

430 

Hayrs  Andrew  L 

463 

348 

M'Cabe  James 

435 

Hudson  A.  W. 

490 

Littlejohn  G.  F. 

349 

Mason  Milton 

452 

Howard  Alex.  H 

,  494 

Littlejohn  F.  J. 

351 

Morell  Wm.  H. 

526 

Hazewell  Geo.  R 

.  533 

Littlejohn  F.  S. 

352 

Merritt  Charles 

433 

Hawes  Wm. 

536 

Lewis  C. 

376 

Marion  C.  B. 

441 

J. 

Libbey  S. 

385 

Marion  M.  P. 

442 

Jones  Alba 

40 

Libbey  F. 

408 

Matthews  A.  B. 

470 

J e weft  D.  B. 

65 

Jja  Reviere,  Pierre  429 

Maclay  Moses  B. 

498 

Jones  A. 

126 

Leland  A.  L. 

467 

Morrison  Robt.  H.  499 

Jacobs 

218 

Lee  Wm.  S. 

495 

M'Connell  Wm. 

514 

JaffreyG. 

237 

Lamb  Thomas 

508 

Mory  Peter 

531 

Jones  T. 

355 

Lormis  H,  B. 

524 

Murdock  Chas. 

537 

Jennings  R. 

377 

Lyman  S.  P. 

525 

Moore  M.  M. 

K 

Johnson  W.  W. 

446 

#• 


(     104    ) 


N. 

Nowell  F.  S 

Nowell  John  72 

Nourse,  C.  P.  72 

Nelson  Warren  I.  409 

Niles  R.  401 

Noble  Chas.  N.  502 

0. 

Ord  P.  56 

O'Brien  W.  210 

Olds  A.  213 

Ord  W.  M.  22G 

Odell  L.  235 

O'Conner  D.  453 

Oakly  Jas.  M.  492 

Otis  John  493 

Olmsted  J.  D.  528 

Olmsted  Cotton  532 

Olcott  Theodore  538 

P. 

Pettit  Wm.  1 

Pettit  Joseph  2 

Phoenix  D.  A.  9 

Payne  C.  S.  21 

Peck  S.  45 

Painter  C.  106 

Paul  J.  113 

Prentiss  E.  168 

Picket  T.  177 

Park  H.  221 

Parks  C   C.  223 

Parron  G.  24o 

Prentiss  W.  W  248 

Parks  R.  263 

Painter  C.  W.  281 

Palmer  Thomas  411 

Perdee  Thos.  H.  439 

Parsons  Jas.  M.  461 

Parmlee  Abner  C.  464 

Palmer  Moron  S.  488 

Page  Rufus  R.  496 

Patchin  T.  W.  506 

Punkins  Jacob  J.  V 

Painter  J.  282 

Painter  J.  321 

Pony  T.  371 

Palmer  L.  383 

Q. 

Quinn  P.      '  174 

Quinn  H.  202 


Ruggles  D.  4 

Rusjgles  W.  P.  5 

Richards  R.  R.  14 
Robinson  Wm.  Jr.   43 

Randolph  Q.  F.  48 

Rice  R.  S.  61 

Roberts  RE  55 

Roy  J  64 

Richardson  L.  83 

Richmond  C.  T.  132 

Roberts  E.  J.  139 

Richmond  C.  141 

Roberts  E.  J.  139 

Rice  Sam.  241 

Rollins  W.  C.  244 

Richardson  O.  D.  268 

Richmond  W.  A.  3uO 

Rinchard  J.  J  312 

Richards  W.  332 

Raymond  343 

Raum  E.  C.  373 

Randall  A.  390 

Rogers  John  S.  E 

Roger  H.  D.  F 

Raymond  Ed.  A.  396 
Robinson  Wm.  (P)  457 

Richmond  Jon.  475 

Rowe  Wm.  R.  486 

Record  Chas.  O.  487 

Raymond  H.  J.  527 

Richmond  Fred.  530 

S. 

Smith  J.  A.  11 

Stewart  A.  22 

Sherman  A.  46 

Skinner  J.  E.  58 

Stryker  J.  62 

Scott  T.  92 

Stoddard  C.  101 

Swaitbv  S.  A.  116 

Sterling  J.  M.  180 

Sahl  J.  182 

Snider  J.  192 

Swenny  Geo.  188 

Schlatter  W.  225 

Smith  J.  228 

8immon3  J.  233 

Sterling  W.  C.  246 

Skinner  H.  S.  249 

Stuart  N.  P.  257 


Stevens  S.  259 
Sargeant  N.  266 
Scudder  C.  280 
Swan  Robert  284 
Sheldon  293 
Sanders  V  296 
Shepard  C.  E.  345 
Study  H.  372 
Spalding  W.  374 
Swany  Barney  454 
Smith  Julius  C.  473 
Spies  A.  W.  477 
Sylvester  Henry  H.480 
Swenny  Hugh  B.  485 
Smith  Henry  M.  497 
Smith  Henry  504 
Simpson  W.  H.  509 
Swift  Henry  510 
Stickney  Josiah  511 
Snowden  Thos.  S.  529 
Sinclair  X 
Smith  Samuel  H 
Saunders  W.  S  R 
Smith  W.  G 
Stone  E.  W.  389 
Sears  J.  H.  392 
Sayer  Michael  401 
Southbird  Lewis  402 
Shawern  Lewis  403 
Smith  W.  G.  427 
(No  names  in  en- 
try) 428 
T. 
Tucker  S.  W.  17 
Titus  Theodore  18 
Tappan  C.  W.  88 
Tibbatts  L.  93 
Thompson  E  H.  96 
Tappan  John  102 
Tappan  C.  103 
Titus  M.  134 
Titus  P.  S.  135 
Titus  J.  H  136 
Thompson  D.  155 
Tyler  T  205 
Taylor  H.  W.  217 
Tappan  C.  T.  245 
Thurber  H.  C.  258 
Tuckerman  J.  287 
Trumbull  J.  A.  326 
Trufont  E.  339 


(  105  ) 


Tarburt  A.  D. 

344 

Waterbury  J.  M 

Tc.iEyckZ. 

410 

WardWm. 

Talcott  Chas.  S. 

418 

Wick  wore  C. 

TillerJas.  P.(Ft)418 

Winder  J  no. 

Tillatson  Henry 

A.4(i2 

Wilkinson  John 

Towle  Milo 

479 

Wheaton  T.  L. 

Thomas  Geo  C. 

482 

Warner  G.  C. 

Thurber  J.  S. 

500 

Warder  W. 

Titus  Henry  S. 

513 

Wheelock  C.  B. 

U. 

Williams  T. 

Updegraf  N. 

320 

Walner  F. 

V. 

Weymeur  J. 

Vouthy  N. 

107 

Webster  F. 

Vandewater  E. 

329 

Whitmore  G.  C 

Van  Dyke  J.  A. 

447 

Wales  E.  B. 

W. 

Williams  G. 

Wells  W.J. 

6 

Williams  A. 

Watson  J.  V. 

12 

Webb  J.  F. 

Whitney  H. 

25 

Williams  J.  M. 

Ward  A.  H. 

33 

Weber  W. 

Waterbury  L. 

35 

36 

Ward  J. 

28S 

40 

Webb  J.  W. 

322 

50 

Williams  R. 

328 

52 

Wylde  J. 

341 

63 

WykoffN. 

342 

79 

Warring  J.  B. 

350 

108 

Willis  E. 

353 

129 

Willis  C. 

354 

157 

Wright  G. 

399 

160 

Wailen  M. 

380 

190 

Watson  J.  R. 

3S2 

193 

Waterman  N. 

3S8 

199 

Watts  Samuel 

3US 

219 

Williams  James  0 

.400 

222 

White  Geo.  R. 

407 

255 

White  Wm.  W. 

453 

256 

Williams  Benj.  0 

.471 

261 

Wisner  0.  F. 

472 

269 

Weightmore  R.  C 

.481 

270 

Wing  A.  E. 

501 

428 

17 

18 
88 
93 
96 
102 
103 
134 
135 
136 
155 
205 
217 
245 
258 
287 
326 
339 


VOCABULARY  OF  INDIAN  &  FRENCH. 

The  following  Vocabulary  of  Words  in  the  Indian  and 
French,  will  enable  the  voyageur  to  proceed  among  the 
half-breeds  and  Indians,  without  difficulty.  They  are  spelled 
as  pronounced  by  Messrs.  Graveret  and  Rousseau,  of 
Mackinaw  and  Sault  St.  Mary's,  United  States  Interpreters, 
and  Mr.  Warren,  of  La  Point. 

Boo-zhoOf  from  the  French  Bon  jour^  is  used  throughout 

the  whole  country  by  Indians  and  others.     This  word  all 

understand  as  "  how  do  you  do  ?**  "  good  morning ;"  &c. — 

is  the  first  salutation. 

Fr.  Pron^ciatfn    Definitions. 
ke,  koo-ah,  oo    How  much,  for. 

V7here,  whence. 

When;  of  what. 

This. 

That, 

Noise 

Take. 

Give. 

Lar^^e,  Largest 

Man. 

Woman. 


Indian. 

Fr.  Spelling. 

On-eu-meek 

qui,  quoi,  oie, 

Ah-nien-da 

oie,  d'oie 

Ah-ni-pe 

que,  de  quoi  ? 

Man-don 

ce 

Man-don-way-ta 

cet 

Mus-ca-wa 

son,  bruit 

Ma-moon 

prendre 

Nin-mene 

donner 

Kit-che 

gros 

Ninne 

homme 

Quay 

femme 

d  oo  por  00 

ke,  dai  koo  ah 

suh 

say 

song,  broo-e 

prangdr 

donai 

omm 
fem 


(     106    ) 


Que-we-zans 

Qua-sance 

Nosce 

Qua-nosce 

She-me 

She-she-me 

Nenne 

Keen 

Scuta 

Scu-tarme-gut 

She-na-ma-gut 

Gie-me-won 

Ni-be 

Nee-be 

Sa-got-a-gun 

Kit-che-gam-e 

Per-qua-zhe-gun 

Wee-OS 

0-pay-a-gun 

Pos-ices-e-gun 

Muck-ca-ta 

Ahn-win 

Mish-quaw 

Muck-dta-wa 

Way-gaw-quet 

Mo-co-mo 

Wa-bo-wi-on 

Man-i-tou 

Kitche-ke-zick 

Ke-zick 

Kee-zhe-gut 

Me-kee-zne-gut 

Ni-be-cut 

Na-(^ue-8hine 

A-mick 

Ne-kick 

Wa-goone 

Ah-ne-morh 

Kee-goo 

Yan 

Muck-wa 

'  tluck-wa-yan 

Shoon-e-aw 

Ca-noe  " 

Cah-ween 

Na-uh 

£n-do«h! 

Pa-zhick 
Nees-bee 


enfant 

ang-fang, 

Child, 

fille 

fee-yuh 

Girl. 

pere 

payre 

Father. 

mere 

mayre 

Mother. 

frere 

frayre 

Brother. 

soeur 

seur 

Sister. 

moi 

mooah 

Me. 

V0U9 

vooe 

You. 

feu 

fuh 

Fire. 

chaleur 

shah-lui 

Hot. 

froid 

froo-ah 

Cold. 

pluie 

ploo-ee 

Rain. 

eau 

o 

Water. 

riviere 

re-vyayre 

Small  River. 

Lac 

lack 

Lake. 

gros  lac 

gro  lack 

Big  Lake. 

pain 

paing 

Bread. 

viande 

vyangde 

Meat. 

fumeur 

foo-mur 

Pipe. 

fusile 

fue-seil 

Gun. 

poudre 

bals  de  plomb 

poodr 

bals  des  plom 

Powder. 

Lead  Balls, shot. 

rouge 

roohje 

Red. 

noir 

noo-ar 

Black 

hache 

hash 

Axe. 

coteau 

coo-to 

Knife. 

blonquette 

blang-kett 

Blanket. 

dieu 

dyuh 

Great  Spirit. 

soliel 

8oIay-uh 

Sun. 

lune 

loon 

Moon. 

jour 

zhoor 

Dav. 
Sabbath  Day. 

dimanche 

de-mangshc 

nuit 

noo-c 

Night. 

c'nuit          ' 

se-nooe 

To-night. 

castor 

castor 

Beaver. 

loutra    , 

lootar 

Ottar. 

renard 

ruh-nar 

Fox. 

chien 

shaying 

Dot. 
Fish. 

poisson 

poo-ah-song 

peaa 

poo 

■    Skin. 

ours 

ours 

Bear.     ' 

peau  d'ours 

pooh  d'oures 
I'arjang 

Bear  skin. 

argent 

Silver,  copper. 

barqueroUe 

bark-rol 

Canoe 

non 

no 

No.                   "••• 

oui 

oo-e 

Yes. 

haler 

ha-lai 

Hallo!       .           ,. 

Counting. 

_        ■  ' '     '     ' ' 

un 

ung. 
dune. 

one 

deux 

two 

troia 

troo-au.  , 

thiee            ' 

(     107     ) 


N«e-wen 

quatrre 

khah'tr. 

four 

Nan-nan 

cmq 

saingke. 

five 

Go-te-was-wee 

SIS 

seze. 

IX 

Che-was-wee 

sept 

set. 

seven 

Me-che-was-wec 

huit 

00-itt. 

eight 

Chong-gus-wee 

neuf 

nuff. 

nine 

Me-tos-we 

dix 

diss. 

ten 

For  counting  after  10,  Che  is  used  before  the  numeral,  as 
CAc-pa-zhick,  11,  Che  chong-gus-wee,  19  ;  and  in  tens  She  follows- 
as  Cha-pa-zhick-me-tos-we-sAc — Thirty,     trante  trangte. 

And  so  on. 


THE   PLEASURE   TOUR. 

When  I  left  Copper  Harbor,  on  the  25th  October,  ar- 
rangements were  making  for  the  completion  this  winter,  of  a 
waggon  road,  from  Copper  Harbor  to  Eagle  River.  By  let- 
ters received, within  a  few  days,  I  learn  that  the  contempla* 
ted  roav.  is  now  finished  between  Copper  and  Agate  Har- 
bors, nine  miles,  and  rapidly  progressing  towards  Eagle 
River.  Preparations  are  making  to  run  a  stage  daily  be- 
tween Copper  Harbor  and  Eagle  River.  The  workmen,  I 
also  learn,  are  engaged  in  erecting  Public  Houses  at  Cop- 
per Harbor  and  Eagle  River,  and  no  doubt  Eagle  and 
Agate  Harbors  will  be  also  supplied. 

Thus,  the  pleasure  traveller  has  n  new  route  of  unequalled 
beauty  and  interest  opened  to  him,  with  accommodations  and 
comforts.  From  Lake  Superior,  he  may  proceed  by  the 
voyageur^s  canoe  up  the  Bois  Brule  River,  through  Upper 
St.  Croix,  and  down  the  River  St.  Croix  to  its  Falls,  whei  e 
is  a  village,  fine  Hotel,  and  steamboats  depart  for  New  Or- 
leans, or  up  to  the  Falls  of  St.  Anthony  30  miles  above  the 
junction  of  the  St.  Croix  and  Mississippi.  From  both  the 
St.  Croix  Falls  and  Falls  of  St.  Anthony,  millions  of  lumber 
are  yearly  sent  down.  There  are  at  each  point  thriving  vil- 
lages. This  route  from  Lake  Superior  to  the  Mississippi, 
has  already  been  traversed  by  many  ladies  with  their  hus- 
bands, in  journeys  to  and  from  the  Fur  stations,  and  may 
be  performed  with  no  more  fatigue  or  inconvenience  by  any 
lady,  than  the  romance  of  a  few  night^s  camping  with  a  good 
India  rubber  tent;  sleeping  on  mats,  skins  and  blankets 


1  ■  t 


;i  'uj  »* 


(    los    ) 

laid  upon  boughs,  and  eating  without  a  table.  There  is  one 
party  of  ladies  and  gentlemen  organized,  I  learn,  for  a  trip 
on  this  route  next  season,  from  Hartford,  and.  no  doubt 
many  others  will  be  met  there,  for,  from  Buffalo,  in  three 
days  Mackinaw  is  reached,  another  day,  Sault  St.  Mary,  in 
another  Copper  Harbor,  anothr  La  Point,  in  one  day  more, 
Fon  du  Lac.  If  the  traveller  shall  not  wish  to  go  to  Fon  dn 
Lac,  or  if  he  do,  on  return  of  the  steamer,  he  may  have  his 
canoe  or  canoes  launched  from  her  off  the  mouth  of  the 
Brula,  and  entering  that  river  two  days  brings  him  to  the 
portage  of  Lake  St.  Croix — two  days  more  to  the  Falls  of 
St.  Croix. 

The  canoes  of  any  required  size  and  convenience,  and 
the  necessary  out-fits  of  voyageurs,  and  supplies  of  any  kind 
desired,  can  be  obtained  at  all  times  and  on  terms  cheap  in 
comparison  to  the  usual  expectations,  at  either  St.  Mary's, 
La  Point,  or  Fon  du  Lac.  The  canoes  may  be  purchased 
and  voyageurs  obtained  on  wages,  or  both  canoes  and  men 
may  be  hired  for  time  or  voyage.  Also  all  these  may  at  any 
time  be  obtained  at  the  Falls  of  St.  Croix  by  travellers  de- 
siring to  cross  from  the  Mississippi  to  Lake  Superior.  Even 
last  season  dozens  of  canoes  might  be  seen  in  a  day,  or  the 
light  of  their  camp  fires  at  night  upon  this  route ;  often  far 
ahead  would  be  heard  coming,  on  the  night  air,  the  voy- 
ageurs chorus,  till  turning  a  point  with  arrow  speed  and 
graceful  circle,  on  they  come — they  meet — the  chorus  ceases 
— a  mutual  "  bon  soir !"  "  bon  soir  !" — **  adieu  !  adieu  !" — 
we  pass, — again  the  song — perhaps  an  hour  afler  we  hear, 
though  far  apart  by  the  river's  turns,  faintly,  across  the 
bends,  the  whoop  that  interlards  their  song.  On  with  the 
current  and  the  oar  they  fly  toward  the  frigid  north,  and 
we  our  way  toward  the  equator. 


STEAM  <k  SAIL  VESSELS. 

Before  leaving  the  Sault  St.  Mary's,  I  examined  the  vessels, 
which  are  as  follows : 

Julia  Palmer^  steamboat  belonging  to  Col.  W.  F.  P.  Tay- 
lor, of  Buffalo,  was  lying  at  the  foot  of  the  rapids,  preparatory 
to  being  hauleid  over  the  portage.     She  is  a  staunch  and  very 


of 


(     109    ) 

well  found  vessel,  capable  of  running  ten  miles  an  hour;  has 
accommodations  for  300  passengers,  and  is  about  280 
tons  burden,  rigged  with  saUs.  Her  main  deck  contains  a 
ladies*  cabin,  and  there  is  below  that  a  steerage  cabin.  On 
the  upper  deck  is  the  dining  cabin,  on  each  side  of  which  is 
a  tier  of  state  rooms  fore  and  aft,  opening  on  the  deck  and 
into  the  dining  room.  Having  a  larger  number  of  state  rooms 
than  will  be  likely  to  be  required,  it  is  intended,  this  winter, 
in  making  many  proposed  convenient  arrangements,  to  throw 
two  of  those  together,  with  a  door  opening  into  the  third,  in 
this  way  forming  four  or  more  family  rooms,  to  be  furnished 
with  French  bedsteads  and  trundle  beds  under  them  for  chil- 
dren. Forward,  on  the  same  deck,  two  large  rooms  are  to 
be  constructed  from  state  rooms,  one  for  a  gentlemen*s  room, 
and  the  other  a  ladies*  parlour.  This  boat  will  afford  CYerj 
comfort  to  the  pleasure  traveller,  desirable. 

Independence,  propeller,  owned  by  Capt.  Bristol  &,  Co,, 
commanded  by  Capt.  Bristol,  many  years  a  skilful  navigator 
of  the  lower  lakes.  She  is  280  tons,  a  good  sea  vessel,  and 
of  the  propeller  speed.  She  has  good  cabins  and  accommo* 
dations,  and  will  probably  leave  alternately  with  the  Palmer. 

Schooner  Napoleon. — Is  a  new  and  beautiful,  well  ar- 
ranged, found,  and  rigged  vessel,  of  180  tons,  as  floats  any 
waters  in  the  world.  She  was  built  at  St.  Mury^s,  and  made 
one  trip  last  fall,  in  which  she  proved  herself  to  possess  use- 
ful qualities,  only  equalled  by  her  beauty  and  symmetry. 
She  is  owned  by  Oliver  Newbury  of  Detroit,  who,  I  have 
lately  learned,  is  this  winter  having  a  similar  one  built  at  the 
same  place,  to  be  launched  next  spring. 

Schooner  Swallow. —  Capt.  John  Stanord,  belongs  to  the 
New  York  and  Lake  Superior  Mining  Company.  Is  being 
overhauled  this  winter,  for  next  year's  business,  when  who- 
ever finds  himself  with  "the  pig  lei  out  of  a  bag,'*  need  have 
no  apprehensions  while  there  is  powder  for  the  iron  pilot. 

Also, 

Schooners  Merchant  and  Algonquin,  of  about  70  tons 
each-the  Sis-kaw-it,  Fur  Trader,  Chippewa,  and  Ocean,  of 
a  smaller  class,  and  a  small  British  vessel,  the  White  Fish. 


(     110    ) 


To                             Offing. 

Course.    Miles 

Picture  Rocks          20  miles 

W.          100 

Grand  Island            20 

do. 

W.          120 

Granite  Point           20 

do. 

165 

Michipicoten  Island 

N.N.W.     110 

Caribou  Island 

N.W.          70 

Keweenaw  Point 

N.W.  halfW.173 

Granite  Point 

W.            40 

Granite  Island 

N.            10 

Keweenaw  Point 

N.  bW.       73 

Caribou  Island 

N.E.        110 

Manitou  Island 

' 

W.  b  N.        93 

Isle  Royal  Harbour 

N.W.         75 

Fon  du  Jjac              100 

m.W.&160S.W.  260 

Apostles 

S.W.    150 

PRINCIPAL  COURSES  AND  DISTANCES  ON  THE  LAKE. 

From 
White  Fish  Point 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Do. 
Outer  side  of  G.  Island 
Granite  Point 
Granite  Island 

Do. 

Caribou  Island 

Copper  Harbour 

Do. 

Do. 

Light  Houses  And  Beacons. 

A  Light-house  is  much  wanted  at  White  Fish  Point,  Keweenaw  Pt, 

and  La  Point.     Beacons  at  least,  at  Copper,  Agate  and  Eagle  Harbors. 

Posts  should  be  erected  at  the  other  points  to  which  vessels  may  be 

destined,  on  which  a  light  might  be  displayed  on  hearing-  a  signal  gun. 

The  Climate. 

The  general  impression  is  that  the  climate  of  the  Lake  Superior 
Country  is  insupportably  cold  in  winter.  The  fact  is  the  reverse. — 
The  snows  are  three  feet  deep  as  an  average,  but  the  Mercury  for  the 
past  three  years  at  Copper  Harbor,  sank  out  once  below  zero,  then 
only  six  degrees,  while  the  average  has  been  four  degrees  above  zero. 
The  Lake  never  freezes  more  than  a  few  miles  from  shore. 

Mechanics  And  Laborers. 

There  is  no  doubt  Mechanics  of  many  kinds  will  next  season  find 
there,  the  employments  of  a  new  country  in  the  contemplated  works. 
Wages  this  winter  are — for  best  miners,  $30  per  month  and  found- 
second  rate  and  laborers,  $18 — Blacksmiths,  $40.  **  Tributors'*  can 
always  obtain  veins  or  sections  to  work,  for  a  liberal  per  centage. 

A  New  Crusher. 

As  Crushing  is  to  be  a  very  considerable  item  in  producing  Copper, 
it  is  proper  to  mention  here,  that  a  new  machine  for  the  purpose  is  al- 
ready preparing  of  economical  construction,  by  Mr  Rawdon,  of  the 
firm  of  Rawdon,Wright  &  Hatch,  for  crushing  and  grinding  the  ore  rock 
preparatory  to  washing  and  smelting..  The  inventor  believes  this 
Machine  will  supercede  all  others  in  its  compactness,  perfection  of 
workmanship  and  rapidity  of  operation.  Mr.  R.  asserts  tnat  it  will  be 
capable  of  preparing  three  tons  per  day  driven  by  a  two  horse  steam 
or  other  motive  power.  Its  size— >three  feet  by  four,  will  render  its 
transportation  trifling.  Four  of  them  may  be  worked  on  a  space  twenty 
feet8(^uare,  requiring  but  one  man  to  the  four.  Its  perfection  of  con- 
struction leaves  but  little  liability  to  breaking  or  repairs.  They  may 
be  so  arranged  that  the  washers  will  receive  the  pulverised  ore  direct. 


s^ 


(  111  ) 


E. 

Miles 

loo 

120 
165 
110 
70 
173 
40 
10 
73 
10 
93 
75 
|i60 


ENGLISH  COPPER  STOCKS. 

The  result  of  investments  in  English  copper  mines  may 
be  judged  in  a  degree  by  the  following  list  of  Copper  stocks, 
taken  at  random  from  the  price  current  of  the  London  Miners' 
Journal  of  November  15,  1845. 


Shares.        Company.       £Paid.  £Prico 

235  Andrew  and  Nangiles,         25§      70 

100  Botallack,       -       - 

114  Cliarlestown, 
1000  Carn  Brea, 

S56  Caradon  Consols, 

256  Caradon  Copper  Mine, 
1000  Copper  Bottom 

512  Fowcy  Consols,       •        •  — 

244  Grambler  &  St.  Anbyn,      — 

128  Halloubeagle,        -        -      — 

160  Levant,        -        -        .        — . 

128  Par  Consols, 

800  South  Towan, 

128  South  Caradon, 

ISO  Trethellen, 


175 

15 
45 


10 
5 
5 


400 

240 
80 

140 

6 

5 

80 

55 

50 

150 

500 

400 

100: 


Shares.       Company.        £Paid.  £Price. 

1024  Wheal  Maria, 

1 

700 

96  Tresavean, 

10 

300 

256  Trenow  Consols, 

-_ 

170 

5000  Treleigh  Consols, 

6 

H 

4000  United  Hills, 

5 

5 

100  United  Mines, 

1000 

900 

6000  Wicklow  Copper, 

5 

18 

128  Wheal  St  Andrew,     • 

65 

20 

127  Wheal  Virgin, 
256  West  Caradon, 

_ 

20 

40 

375 

3845  West  Wheal  Jewel, 

lOi 

4 

128  Wheal  Providence, 

16 

120 

256  Wheal  Sisters,      • 

22i 

78 

256  West  Wheal  Treasury, 

12 

12 

256  West  Wh.  Friendship, 

— 

S 

A  visit  by  Mr.  G.  W.  Hughes  to  the  interior  of  a 
CORNWALL  MINE. 

The  following  description  of  the  interior  of  a  Cornwall  Mine,  from 
the  Report  of  Capt.  G.  W.  Hughes,  who  reported  to  our  government 
his  examination  of  these  mines,  will  be  read  with  interest.  The  extracts 
from  che  same  upon  smelting  and  refining,  will  be  interesting  to  all  who 
have  any  wish  know  the  process  by  which  copper  is  produced  from 
the  ores,  by  the  most  approved  methods  : 

"  Before  diving  into  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  we  examined  the  map 
and  sections  of  the  mine,  (each  gallery  and  pit  being  carefully  laid 
down  on  a  large  manuscript  map,  as  soon  as  they  are  projected,)  the 
machinery  of  the  water  wheels,  steam  engines,  &c. 

"  After  finishing  the  examinations  above  ground,  we  prepared  for 
the  descent,  by  taking  off  every  article  of  dress,  and  putting  on  clean 
dry  flannel,  coarse  shoes,  without  stockings,  and  clean  cotton  caps  on 
our  heads,  surmounted  with  low  crowned  felt  hats.  In  this  travesty, 
with  a  lighted  candle  in  hand,  and  another  as  a  reserve  suspended  from 
the  neck,  we  were  ready  for  the  adventure. 

"  Now  imagine  a  circular  opening  in  the  ground,  of  the  diameter 
and  general  appearance  of  a  common-sized  well,  with  a  ctirb  to  it,  and 
the  to])  of  a  ladder  projecting  three  or  four  feet  above  the  surface.  On 
this  ladder  you  place  yourself,  and  commence  the  descent.  The  last 
advice  given  me  as  I  disappeared  from  the  open  day,  in  reference  to 
my  personal  deportment,  was  to  be  certain  that  one  foot  was  safely  and 
firmly  planted  on  the  ladder  before  the  other  was  moved — a  precaution 


£?■ 


(     112    ) 


on  which  one's  life  might  depend.  Between  the  thumb  and  fore  finger 
of  the  left  hand  you  carry  the  lighted  candle,  and  with  the  other  fingers 
and  the  right  hand  grasp  firmly  the  iron  rounds  or  steps  of  the  ladder. 
These  ladders  are  from  twenty  to  sixty  feet  in  length,  placed  at  almost 
every  degree  of  inclination,  from  the  vertical  to  45  degrees.  In  this 
wise  is  the  descent  made  for  more  than  1200  perpendicular  feet.  At 
the  foot  of  each  ladder  is  a  narrow  platform  on  which  you  may  rest ; 
and  it  is  from  these  platforms  the  lateral  galleries  are  carried. 

"  Following  the  lode,  galleries  have  been  worked  for  great  distances, 
or  are  in  progress,  on  the  levels  along  the  strike  of  the  lode  ;  and  seve- 
ral main  pits,  such  as  I  have  just  described,  are  sunk  for  the  conveni- 
ence of  the  workmen.  We  saw  the  miners  in  all  directions,  on  the 
different  levels,  at  work,  blasting  and  wheeling  out  the  ore.  The  effect 
is  sometimes  quite  striking ;  you  see  a  light,  twinkling  like  a  star, 
apparently  at  a  great  distance  ;  you  attempt  to  approach  it ;  sometimes 
you  are  half  knee  deep  in  water  ;  sometimes  you  may  walk  erect,  at 
others  you  must  stoop  low,  and  again  scramble  over  the  rubbish  on 
your  hands  and  knees ;  at  times  you  lose  sight  of  this  polar  star,  to- 
wards which  your  course  has  been  directed,  and  anon,  as  you  pass  the 
projection  of  some  jagged  rock,  it  bursts  again  upon  your  sight.  Per- 
haps, as  you  pass  the  dark  and  frowning  mouth  of  some  cross  gallery, 
you  are  startled  by  the  quick  sharp  sound  of  a  sudden  avalanche  of 
rocks,  rushing  to  a  lower  level,  or  you  may  hear  a  noise  like  distant 
rumbling  thunder,  which  you  may  at  first  take  for  the  approach  of  an 
earthquake,  and  not  feel  very  comfortable  at  the  thought,  but  it  is  only 
the  reverberation  of  the  noise  of  a  blast. 

"  Whilst  under  ground,  I  stopped  frequently  to  converse  with  the 
miners,  who  seemed  to  be  generally  clever  but  not  educated  men. 
They  were  mostly  Chartists,  and  ever  ready  for  a  political  discussion. 
As  they  knew  me  to  be  a  stranger,  having  no  connection  with  the 
works,  they  probably  spoke  without  reserve,  and  expressed  their  true 
opinions.  One  of  them,  whilst  enumerating  the  worlcing  men's  griev- 
ances, suddenly  sprung  up,  and  in  the  heat  of  enthusiasm  struck  with 
his  pickaxe  several  blows  into  the  ore,  in  quick  succession.  '  There,* 
said  he,  addressing  himself  to  me,  *  I  have  struck  five  blows,  and  how 
many  think  you  were  for  myself  ?'  I  replied,  I  could  not  tell.  •  Well.* 
he  continued,  '  one  was  for  the  government,  in  the  formation  of  which 
I  have  no  choice  ;  one  for  the  church,  which  I  never  enter,  being  a 
dissenter  ;  one  for  the  lord  of  the  manor,  whose  face  I  never  see  ;  one 
for  the  tavern  keeper,  whose  face  I  see  too  often  ;  and  the  other  for 
myself.' 

"  On  returning,  we  came  up  by  one  of  the  old  and  disused  inclined 
planes,  partially  blocked  up  with  :  ul;l>:sh  Sometimes  we  were  forced 
to  crawl  on  our  hands  and  knees,  and  in  this  manner  we  toiled  our 
weary  way  up  to  the  adit,  about  sixty  feet  below  the  surface,  which 
we  reached  by  means  of  a  ladder.  The  adit  is  a  subterranean  canal, 
frequently  of  great  length,  for  the  discharge  of  the  water  which  has 
been  pumped  up  from  the  bottom  of  the  mine.  The  pumps  are  placed 
alongside  the  ladders,  and  are  made  very  strong,  to  resist  the  enor- 
mous pressure  to  which  they  are  subjected  in  raising  the  water  to  bo 
great  height.    At  the  different  levels,  where  the  valves'  are  placed, 


(     113     ) 


finger 

Ingers 

ladder. 

ilmost 

Fn  this 

.    At 

rest; 


the  pumps  are  made  of  cast  iron,  carefully  screwed  together,  with  felt 
between  the  pieces,  to  render  them  water-tight.  When  we  reached 
the  surface,  I  required  the  assistance  of  the  guide  to  gain  the  platform, 
so  completely  was  I  exhausted  by  the  unusual  action  to  which  the 
muscles  of  the  limbs  had  been  subjected ;  and  for  several  days  after- 
wards, I  could  not  move  without  great  difficulty  and  pain.  And, 
speaking  from  experience,  I  would  advise  no  one  who  can  avoid  it  to 
make  in  the  winter  any  such  descent  in  the  mere  spirit  of  adventure. 

TREATMENT  OF  COPPER  ORES. 

The  treatment  of  different  ores  should  vary  with  their  qualities, 
out  the  processes  are  essentially  the  same  ;  but,  as  the  limits  of  this 
paper  will  not  permit  me  to  specify  all  the  modifications  in  detail,  I 
shall  restrict  myself  to  designating  the  operations  to  which  pyritous 
ores,  ores  containing  but  a  small  proportion  of  sulphur,  and  gray  or 
argentiferous  copper,  are  subjected  in  different  countries. 

The  treatment  of  the  first  two  varieties  begins  with  a  sorting  by 
hand,  which  consists  in  putting  aside  all  the  fragments  as  lai'ge  as 
hen's  eggs,  and  from  amongst  them  to  separate  and  reject  the  stony 
pieces.  Those  which  remain  are  broken  according  to  their  size,  and 
all  are  reduced  to  fragments  not  larger  than  walnuts.  Another  selec- 
tion or  picking  over  is  then  made,  for  the  purpose  of  sorting  them 
according  to  their  richness,  and  rejecting  those  which  are  altogether 
stony.  The  others  form  three  qualities,  viz :  1st,  fragments  of  pure 
ore ;  2d,  fragments  slightly  intermixed  with  foreign  matter  ;  and,  3d, 
fragments  of  the  poorest  kind.  This  sorting  is  more  or  less  rigorous, 
according  to  the  expense  of  the  subsequent  treatment,  consisting  of 
the  price  of  fuel,  manual  labour,  transportation,  &c. 

No.  1  is  broken  on  a  cast-iron  bed,  by  means  of  a  batte  or  flat 
beater,  (formed  of  a  piece  of  iron,  six  inches  square  and  one  inch 
thick,  adapted  to  a  wooden  handle,)  into  fragments  not  larger  than 
filberts.  The  selection  and  breaking  are  usually  done  by  women  and 
children.  When  this  is  completed,  the  ore  is  ready  for  calcination. 
No.  1  is  called  prills  in  Cornwall.  No.  2  the  dredge  ore,  (as  it  is 
termed,)  is  spalled  by  the  batte,  and  then  sent  to  the  workshops  to  be 
riddled  (sifted)  and  washed.  No.  3  (the  halvans  or  leavings)  is  sent 
to  the  crushing  mills. 

BREAKING   AND   SCRKENINO  ORES. 

In  Cornwall,  the  ores  at  many  establishments  are  broken  by  means 
of  crushing  mills,  instead  of  being  broken  by  battes.  As  the  crushed 
ore  falls  from  the  crushing  rollers  or  cylinders,  it  is  received  in  an 
inclined  cylindrical  sieve,  which,  by  turning  on  its  axis,  permits  the 
larger  sized  ore  to  slide  down  to  the  bottom,  while  the  smaller  pass 
through  its  meshes.  The  pieces  which  do  not  pass  through  the  sieve 
are  returned  to  the  crushers. 

The  small  pieces  of  ore  separated  in  the  first  selection,  and  from 
which  all  fragments  larger  than  hen's  eggs  were  sorted,  are  then 
sifted  on  an  iron  wire  riddle;  the  intervals  between  the  wires  are 
about  five  lines.  A  workman,  by  repeated  shaking  of  the  riddle, 
filled  with  ore,  and  immersed  in  running  water,  separates  it  into 
three  parts ;  1st.  The  fine  particles,  which  are  carried  off  by  the  cur- 
rent, and  deposited  in  a  distant  portion  of  the  pool.    2d.  The  frag* 


(     114    ) 


ments,  which  are  deposited  under  the  riddle.  3d.  The  largest  pieces, 
which  remain  on  the  riddle.  The  last  are  spread  out  on  a  table,  and 
assorted  by  hand.  The  fragments  not  rejected  as  too  poor  are  then 
broken,  and  resubmitted  to  the  above-named  operations. 

The  ore  deposited  under  the  riddle  is  resifted,  and  the  No.  2 
(broken  when  the  separation  into  three  classes  was  made)  is  added. 
The  meshes  of  the  sieve  are  from  twenty  to  thirty  to  the  square  inch. 
The  workman  who  manages  it  shakes  it  by  two  handles,  with  a  com- 
pound motion,  both  round  and  vertically,  immersed  in  a  shallow  pool 
of  water,  above  which  it  is  never  lifted.  The  finest  particles  pass 
through  the  sieve ;  those  that  reinain  above  it  are  divided,  by  the  dif- 
ference of  their  specific  gravities,  into  three  parts.  The  lightest, 
which  is  above,  contains  so  little  metal  that  it  is  thrown  away  ;  the 
middle  portion  is  sent  to  the  stamping  mills  and  the  lower  part,  the 
richest  of  all,  accumulated  during  two  or  tl^ree  siftings,  needs  only  to 
be  placed  on  a  slightly  inclined  plane,  and  to  be  stirred  with  a  rake 
while  it  is  washed  by  a  small  stream  of  water  flowing  gently  over  it. 
This  operation,  which  is  called  "  jigging,"  is  at  most  of  the  well- 
regulated  Cornish  mines  performed  by  machinery.  A  rectangular 
sieve  is  suspended  in  a  box  of  the  same  shape,  filled  with  water,  and 
a  vibratory  motion  is  communicated  to  the  sieve  by  a  working  rod, 
connected  either  with  a  water  wheel  or  a  steam  engine,  as  may  be 
most  convenient.  The  old  method  is  still  followed  on  the  continent, 
and  may  still  be  seen  in  England  at  the  smaller  mines. 

The  fine  ore  passed  through  the  sieve  is  separated  into  two  parts  by 
stirring  in  water.  The  richest,  fallen  to  the  bottom,  requires  but 
one  washing.  Finally,  the  different  classifications  of  ores  sent  to  the 
crushing  and  stamping  mills,  and  separated  from  the  non-metallife- 
rous substances  with  which  they  were  mixed,  by  stirrings  and  wash- 
ings on  inclined  planes,  constitute  the  prepared  ores,  ready  for  sale 
and  reduction ;  wnile  the  stony  parts,  which  always  retain  some  ore, 
are  thrown  away. 

ASSAYINO   COPPER   ORES. 

Mr.  De  la  Beche  observes  "  that  the  mode  of  assaying  copper  ores 
in  Cornwall  is  usually  conducted  in  a  somewhat  rough  manner,  and 
accurate  results  can  scarcely  be  expected  from  it.  Indeed,  chemistry 
has  as  yet  made  little  progress  amongst  the  assayers  of  Cornwall." 
The  assays  are  conducted  by  the  dry  mode,  and  are  somewhat  anala- 
gous  to  the  process  of  reduction  on  a  large  scale,  and  are  nearly  the 
same  as  those  described  by  Price  60  years  ago.  The  humid  assay  is 
the  most  exact,  but  it  requires  more  skill  and  time.  Ure  gives  seve- 
ral methods,  (dry  and  wet.)  The  following,  for  a  dry  assay,  is  per- 
haps as  good  as  any  other :  *'  A  portion  of  the  mixture,  (prepared 
ore,)  tried  by  the  blow  pipe,  will  show,  by  the  garlic  or  sulphurous 
smell  of  its  fumes,  whether  a.senic,  sulphur,  or  both,  be  the  mine- 
ralizers.     In  the  latter  case,  which  often  occurs,  100  grains  or  1000 

grains  of  the  ore  are  to  be  mixed  with  the  one-half  its  weight  of  saw- 
ust,  then  imbued  with  oil,  and  heated  moderately  in  a  crucible,  till 
all  the  arsenical  fumes  be  dissipated.  The  residuum,  being  cooled 
and  triturated,  is  to  be  exposed  in  a  shallow  earthen  cup  to  a  slow 
roasting  heat  till  the  sulpnur  and  charcoal  be  burned  away ;  what 
remains  being  ground  and  mixed  with  half  its  weight^  of  calcined 


(     115     ) 


borax ;  one-twelfth  its  weigh*  *"  lampblack,  next,  made  into  dough, 
with  a  few  drops  of  oil,  is  to  b.  pressed  down  into  a  crucible,  which 
is  to  be  covered  with  a  luted  lid,  and  to  be  subjected,  in  a  powerful 
air  furnace,  first  to  a  dull  red  heat,  then  to  vivid  ignition  for  20  min- 
utes. On  cooling  and  breaking  the  crucible,  a  button  of  metallic 
copper  will  be  obtained.  Its  color  and  malleability  indicate  pretty 
well  the  quality,  as  does  its  weight  the  relative  value  of  the  ore.  It 
should  be  cupelled  with  lead,  to  ascertain  if  it  contain  silver  or  gold. 

Ores  of  the  oxide  of  copper  are  easily  analyzed  by  solution  in  nitric 
acid,  the  addition  of  ammonia  to  separate  the  other  metals,  and  pre- 
cipitation by  potash.  The  native  carbonate  is  analyzed  by  calcining 
100  grains,  wnen  the  loss  of  weight  will  show  the  amount  of  water 
and  carbonic  acid ;  the  latter  may  be  found  by  expelling  it  from  ano- 
ther 100  grains,  by  digestion  in  a  grain  weight  of  sulphuric  acid.  The 
copper  is  finally  obtained  in  a  metallic  state,  by  plunging  bars  of  zinc 
into  the  solution  of  the  sulphate." 

In  the  case  of  calcining,  in  heaps,  in  the  open  air — the  ore  is  piled 
up  in  great  masses  in  the  form  of  truncated  quadrangular  pyramids, 
with  the  fuel  at  the  bottom.  In  the  centre  of  the  mound  is  a  wooden 
chimney,  with  charcoal  at  the  bottom  :  an  opening  is  left  in  the  mid- 
dle of  each  side,  through  which  a  current  of  air  is  admitted  under 
the  wooden  chimney,  by  which  means  ignition  is  produced,  when  fire 
is  thrown  down  the  chimney,  and  combustion  supported.  This  pyra- 
mid is  covered  with  mortar,  sods,  &c. ,  and  hemispherical  cavities  are 
dug  on  the  upper  surface,  for  the  purpose  of  receiving  the  sulphur 
which,  during  the  roasting  of  or  3,  arrives  liquified  at  the  surface 
This  method  of  roasting,  which  is  practicable  only  when  the  ore  is 
very  sulphurous,  is  employed  at  Chessy,  near  Lyons,  in  France,  and 
at  Goslar,  in  the  Lower  Hartz.  It  lasts  about  six  months,  at  the  end 
of  which  period  the  sulphur  ceases  to  escape.  The  mass  is  then  left 
to  cool,  and  when  this  is  accomplished  the  ore  is  fit  for  smelting. 

In  the  calcining  operations,  the  volatile  substances  are  mostly  dis- 
engaged in  a  gaseous  form  ;  while  the  metals,  owing  to  their  strong 
affinity  for  oxygen,  become  oxidized.  In  melting,  the  earthy  matters 
unite  wit'i  these  oxides,  and  form  slags,  which  float  on  the  surface  of 
the  molten  metal. 

Dr.  Houghton,  in  his  interesting  report  on  the  geology  of  Michigan, 
states  that  the  carbonates  of  copper  are  the  predominating  ores  of  that 
metal  found  on  the  southern  shores  of  Lake  Superior.  The  ores  from 
the  same  region  lately  exhibited  to  me  by  General  Cunningham,  U. 
S.  agent  of  mineral  lands,  and  other  gentlemen,  consisted  of  native 
copper,  the  red  and  black  oxides,  and  the  hydrosilicate,  or  chrysocol/n, 
which,  indeed,  appears  to  be  the  predominating  ore.  According  to 
Ure,  it  is  green,  or  bluish  green;  specific  gravity,  2.03  to  2.10; 
scratched  by  steel ;  is  very  brittle ;  affords  water  by  heating,  and 
blackens ;  is  acted  on  by  acids,  and  leaves  a  siliceous  residuum.  Solu- 
tion becomes  blue  with  ammonia.  Its  constituents  are — silica,  26  ; 
oxide  of  copper,  50;  water,  17  ;  carbonic  acid,  7.  When  pure,  will 
yield  40  to  44  per  cent,  of  metal.  It  is  infusible  at  the  blowpipe 
alone,  but  melts  readily  with  borax.  This  description  will  apply  to 
the  specimens  from  Lake  Superior  ;  but  I  have  never  heard  of  its  hav- 
ing been  found  elsewhere  in  sufficient  quantities  to  be  worked  as  an 


Vi 


(     "6    ) 

ore  of  copper.  I  see  no  reason,  however,  why  it  might  not  be  easily 
reduced,  using  limestone  or  fluate  of  lime  as  a  flux.  The  red  oxides 
shown  to  me  were  not  very  rich,  nor  were  they  difficult  of  reduction. 
On  the  whole,  I  should  think  they  might  be  worked  profitably.  The 
black  oxides  seemed  to  be  much  richer ;  but  I  could  procure  none  for 
experiments. 

The  most  certain  indication  of  the  progress  of  refining  is  found  in  a 
small  sample  of  copper  called  a  montre,  whieh  is  taken  from  time  to 
time  from  the  bath  on  the  heated  end  of  a  polished  steel  rod,  plunged 
two  or  three  inches  deep  into  the  bath,  and  then  immersed  in  cold 
water.  The  montre  is  detached  from  the  rod  by  a  few  smart  blows 
of  a  hammer ;  and  an  opinion  is  formed  of  the  degree  of  purity  it  has 
attained,  from  its  density,  colour,  and  polish.  But  these  samples  are 
never  drawn  till  the  drizzling  of  metallic  globules  ceases.  The  first 
montres  withdrawn  are  thick ;  the  surface  is  uniform,  smooth,  and  of  a 
red  colour,  resembling  old  copper  coins ;  the  interior  is  unequal,  of  a 
leaden  colour,  and  dotted  over  with  white  and  yellow  specks.  As  the 
refining  process  advances,  the  small  holes  observed  in  the  first  montre 
gradually  disappear,  the  outer  sulfate  becomes  darker,  the  inner  of  a 
more  uniform  colour,  and  less  and  less  marked  with  spots.  Finally, 
when  the  metal  has  acquired  the  greatest  degree  of  purity  that  this 
operation  can  give,  the  sample  acquires  a  dark  crimson  appearance, 
tinged  with  a  maroon  shade  ;  at  the  same  time,  the  interior  is  of  a  deep 
and  uniform  red  colour,  unmixed  with  spots  of  any  kind.  In  this  state, 
which  indicates  the  greatest  possible  degree  of  purity  that  copper  can 
attain,  it  is  flexible,  and  its  fracture  presents  a  close  soft-gramed  ap- 
pearance, of  an  obscu.  a  red  colour. 

The  process  must  be  stopped  at  the  proper  time,  otherwise  a  small 
quantity  of  oxide  of  copper  would  be  formed,  rendering  the  metal  hard, 
brittle,  and  incapable  of  perfect  lamination. 

Having  ascertained  by  an  examination  of  the  last  montre,  that  the 
copper  has  been  suflBciently  refined,  the  action  of  the  bellows  is  stop- 
ped, the  opening  of  the  tuyere  is  closed,  the  tap  is  pierced,  and  the 
melted  copper  flows  into  the  vessel  prepared  for  its  reception,  from 
which  the  burning  charcoal  has  been  removed.  When  the  receptacles 
are  full,  the  tap-hole  is  reclosed  with  loam.  When  the  surface  of  the 
metal  which  has  been  drawn  off"  into  the  basins,  is  covered  with  a  solid 
crust,  it  is  slightly  sprinkled  with  water,  and  when  about  two  inches 
thick  is  raised  up  by  means  of  hooks  to  let  the  drops  drain  off*,  and  is 
then  removed  from  the  furnace.  This  operation  is  continued  till  all 
the  copper  has  been  taken  off".  These  layers  are  called  "  rosettes." 
They  are  cooled  suddenly  by  plunging  them  in  water,  when  they  assume 
a  beautiful  red  colour,  owing  to  the  removal  from  their  surface  of  a 
slight  film  of  oxide  of  copper,  by  the  volatilixation  of  the  water.  If 
the  metal  should  be  dipped  into  water  before  it  has  become  completely 
solidified,  dangerous  explosions  may  happen ;  and  if  left  too  long  cool- 
ing in  the  open  air,  it  becomes  peroxidized  on  the  surface,  and  does 
not  assume  those  beautiful  colours  which  the  protoxide  imparts. 

Each  refining  operation  produces,  in  from  14  to  15  hours,  when  the 
hoarth  is  new,  and  in  from  nine  to  ten  hours  when  it  is  old,  one  and 
seven-tenths  of  a  ton  of  fine  copper,  with  the  consumption  of  four- fifths 
of  a  ton  of  dry  wood. 


^ 


f 


♦■iW 


# 


(         117         ; 

Care  is  taken,  after  each  "  drawing  off,"  to  ose  ever  issure  by 
which  the  exterior  air  might  penetrate,  in  ord«  o  produ'  ,  a  gradual 
cooling  of  the  furnace,  and  thus  to  avoid  the  c  k  ig  oi  'he  vitrified 
interior  casing,  which  might  be  caused  by  a  sudden  refrigeration. 

When  it  is  deemed  expedient  to  renew  the  hearth  or  the  interior  of 
the  furnace,  the  old  work  is  broken  up,  and  the  materials  carefully 
washed,  for  the  purpose  of  extracting  the  little  metal  which  it  always 
contains  ;  small  quantities  of  copper  which  have  been  sublimated,  are 
also  extracted  from  the  flues  and  other  parts  of  the  furnace. 

THE    REFINING   OF   COPPER. 

The  process  of  refining  copper  is  conducted  in  a  reverbatory  furnace, 
the  hearth  of  which  is  composed  of  charbonnaile*  or  of  quartz.  The 
object  of  this  operation  is  to  evaporate  all  the  volatile  substance  con- 
tained in  the  coarse  copper,  such  as  sulphur,  arsenic,  antimony,  &c., 
and  to  oxidize  and  convert  into  scoriae  the  fixed  substances,  such  as 
iron,  lead,  &c.,  in  such  a  manner  as  to  allow  the  least  possible  waste 
of  metalic  copper.*  This  operation  is  not  very  rigorous;  but  the 
email  portion  of  gold  or  silver  (which  it  sometimes  contains)  that  will 
not  oxidize  is  of  no  injury  to  the  copper. 

At  the  celebrated  copper  foundry  of  Seville,  in  Spain,  where  the 
very  best  quality  of  metal  is  produced,  the  following  processes  are 
observed : 

Before  heating  the  blast  furnace,  whether  after  its  renewal  or  the 
reconstruction  of  its  hearth,  the  whole  interior  is  plastered  with  mor- 
tar of  fire  clay  or  pulverized  brick,  for  the  purpose  of  closing  the 
cracks  and  preserving  the  vaults  from  the  first  impression  of  the  fire 

In  arranging  the  charge,  rows  of  fire  brick  are  placed  edgewise  on 
the  hearth  of  the  furnace,  and  on  the  bricks  are  deposited  successive 
layers  of  pigs  of  black  or  crude  copper,  crossing  each  other,  with  suf- 
ficient spaces  between  the  pigs  to  permit  the  flame  to  circulate  freely 
through  and  amongst  the  different  layers,  and  to  penetrate  to  the 
hearth,  which  it  dries  and  heats  sufficiently  to  produce  a  gradual  fusion 
of  the  metal.  Care  is  taken  not  to  obstruct  the  vent  near  the  flues, 
and  not  to  place  the  pigs  nearer  than  five  or  six  inches  to  the  walls  of 
the  furnace. 

The  pigs  forming  the  first  bed  or  layer  are  carefully  placed,  so  that 
they  may  not,  in  falling,  break  upon  the  hearth. 

The  weight  of  the  charge  is  proportioned  to  the  capacity  of  the  fur- 
nace, and  so  disposed  that  the  level  of  the  metalic  vat,  or  bath,  may 
be  about  one  inch  above  the  tuyere  of  the  blast;  for  if  it  should  be 
higher  than  this  limit,  the  metal  would  attach  itself  to  the  tuyere, 
and  thus  obstruct  the  blast ;  and  if  it  should  be  lower,  the  current  of 
air  would  strike  the  surface  of  the  molten  metal  imperfectly  ;  in  con- 
sequence of  which,  the  refining  process  would  be  much  retarded,  by 
leaving  the  oxidation  and  volatilization  of  the  foreign  substances  in- 
complete. 


*  This  substance  ia  cnniposcd  of  one-third  refractory  clay,  one-third  refractory 
■and,  and  one-third  pulverized  carbon,  (in  volume  ;)  the  whole  moistened  and  thor- 
oughly worked  till  it  forms  a  consistent  and  homogeneous  material,  which  vitrifies 
to  a  itrong  glassy  mass  by  an  intense  heat. 


r 


r 


m  i! 


i: 


(     118    )  -1 

^. .  .    .     -  ' 

The  judicious  management  of  th«  fire  in  a  furnace  which  has  been 
recently  repaired  consists  in  advancing  the  heat  very  slowly  for  the 
first  three  nours  with  very  dry  wood,  to  gradually  deprive  the  hearth 
or  charbonnaile  of  its  moisture,  and  to  soften  the  copper,  so  that  it 
may  fuse  almost  imperceptibly. 

If,  at  the  termination  of  these  three  hours  of  lieating,  it  is  noticed 
that  the  copper  has  become  red,  and  that  the  bottom  or  hearth  of  the 
furnace  has  not  yet  lost  its  moisture,  it  will  become  proper  to  continue 
this  slow  combustion  until  every  part  of  the  furnace  has  acquired  the 
same  temperature  with  the  copper.  Jf,  finally,  this  equilibrium  of 
heat  is  not  observed  to  take  place,  it  will  be  necessary  to  suspend  the 
fire  for  a  short  time,  and  to  seal  hermetrically  all  the  outlets  or  fissures 
of  the  furnace,  in  order  to  compel  the  copper  to  divide  with  it,  its  ex- 
cess of  temperature. 

When  the  same  degree  of  heat  is  thus  produced  in  all  parts  of  the 
furnace,  the  blast  is  forced ;  and  at  the  end  of  seven  or  eight  hours 
the  metal  begins  to  melt,  and  is  soon  after  covered  with  a  great  quan- 
tity of  scoriae. 

If  it  should  be  considered  desirable  to  increase  the  intensity  of  the 
fire,  it  must  be  recollected  that  this  object  is  not  attained  by  overload- 
ing the  grates  with  fuel ;  otherwise  you  obtain  smoke  only,  which  low- 
ers rather  than  increases  the  temperature.  The  best  guide  to  follow 
in  this  respect  is  the  flame,  which,  when  there  is  neither  excess  nor 
deficiency  of  combustible,  fills  the  entire  capacity  of  the  furnace,  and 
presents  a  beautifully  intense  red  appearance. 

When  the  bath  has  become  fluid,  and  the  scoriae  sufliciently  liquid 
to  give  up  the  copper  which  they  retain,  they  are  removed  with  a 
long-handled  rabble.  If  they  appear  refractory  when  subjected  to  a 
strong  blast,  they  may  be  brought  to  a  suitable  vitrification  by  mixing 
limestone  or  calcareous  clay  with  them  for  a  flux.  If,  on  the  con- 
trary, they  become  too  fluid  to  be  raked  off,  which  is  often  the  case, 
they  may  be  thickened  by  throwing  in  refractory  materials  similar  to 
those  of  which  the  hearth  is  composed.  After  having  freed  the  bath 
of  all  impurities,  the  bellows  are  put  in  action. 

Soon  after  the  metal  is  melted,  charcoal  is  ignited  in  three  large 
iron  vessels,  lined  with  loam,  to  prepare  them  for  the  reception  of  the 
copper,  which  is  to  be  converted  into  rosettes. 

Ordinarily,  soon  after  the  bellows  are  put  in  motion,  the  evaporation 
of  mineral  substances  is  so  abundant  as  to  produce  ebullition  in  the 
bath  ;  some  of  the  drops  rise  even  to  the  vault  of  the  furnace,  while 
others  escape  from  the  doors,  and  fell  condensed  in  a  drizzling  rain  of 
small  spherical  globules.  When  this  phenomenon  appears,  the  refin- 
ing goes  on  well ;  when  it  disappears,  the  operation  is  drawing  to  an 
end. 


■!!i 


has  been 
f  for  the 
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so  that  it 

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th  of  the 
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uired  the 
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it,  its  ex- 

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Kcess  nor 
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*' 


#■■ 


'«. 


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^^T 


